I recently was referred to see a diabetes consultant due to a referral made by my GP post a visit I had with regards to improving the control of my diabetes. The primary reason for the referral was due to a hypo I had at work for which I requested assistance from a work colleague. After that event I decided to purchase the Dexcom G5 and my main visit to the GP was to see if the NHS provided any type of funding for Continuous Glucose Monitoring systems (I was told a decision on funding could only be made with a referral to a consultant under secondary care).
After I was referred to the see the consultant we discussed my hypo at work, why I had it, why I didn’t notice it etc. As I recounted my story I was asked what my sugars were at time and I said 2.5mmol (although to be honest I did not know as I did not test). After calling out 2.5mmol he explained that the DVLA states you need to be hypo aware above 3.0 mmol and as I said 2.5 mmol and did not manage the hypo then I was classed as hypo unware and I could no longer drive.
His quick pace to reach this decision infuriated me I challenged his decision but I was told that patients often do this but it was his duty of care to revoke my license based on the incident I had just described. I explained with regards to this hypo - I was in a long business meeting and I was aware I was having a hypo but I had no sugar at hand so I thought I would wait it out (bad decision I know). After the business meeting my sugars had been low for probably about 30 minutes and I had to tell a work colleague that I was a diabetic and required some sugar so could they please buy me a sugary drink, despite recounting this I was still told I was unware of my hypos and should have known prior (my story lended itself towards being badly managed, although I think I was being transparent).
I can’t believe I that primarily went in to see if there was funding available for my Dexcom G5 and I walk out 30 minutes later being told I can no longer drive!! I have been diabetic for 27 years and consider myself to be very well controlled. I can’t help but thinking the decision to take my license away was more to do with the fact I was referred under the banner of being hypo unware (which is not true) and perhaps to do with potential liability (for example say I got into a car accident and it was find out I had a visit under secondary care to see a diabetes consultant and nothing was done at the time).
As I live somewhat remotely taking my license away is going to severely impact how I go about my life, including getting to work, taking my children to school, food shopping and so forth. You would think before revoking ones license questions would be asked about how one will cope and not done so casually without any further supporting evidence.
Furthermore to make maters worse I was told I had to come back for a review in 3 months time and the condition on the future of my driving would be based on providing access to my Dexcom device through some sort of online account so they could monitor my control - funny that I walked in thinking the NHS might fund it and instead required to self fund it to act as supporting eveidience to drive again.
After I was referred to the see the consultant we discussed my hypo at work, why I had it, why I didn’t notice it etc. As I recounted my story I was asked what my sugars were at time and I said 2.5mmol (although to be honest I did not know as I did not test). After calling out 2.5mmol he explained that the DVLA states you need to be hypo aware above 3.0 mmol and as I said 2.5 mmol and did not manage the hypo then I was classed as hypo unware and I could no longer drive.
His quick pace to reach this decision infuriated me I challenged his decision but I was told that patients often do this but it was his duty of care to revoke my license based on the incident I had just described. I explained with regards to this hypo - I was in a long business meeting and I was aware I was having a hypo but I had no sugar at hand so I thought I would wait it out (bad decision I know). After the business meeting my sugars had been low for probably about 30 minutes and I had to tell a work colleague that I was a diabetic and required some sugar so could they please buy me a sugary drink, despite recounting this I was still told I was unware of my hypos and should have known prior (my story lended itself towards being badly managed, although I think I was being transparent).
I can’t believe I that primarily went in to see if there was funding available for my Dexcom G5 and I walk out 30 minutes later being told I can no longer drive!! I have been diabetic for 27 years and consider myself to be very well controlled. I can’t help but thinking the decision to take my license away was more to do with the fact I was referred under the banner of being hypo unware (which is not true) and perhaps to do with potential liability (for example say I got into a car accident and it was find out I had a visit under secondary care to see a diabetes consultant and nothing was done at the time).
As I live somewhat remotely taking my license away is going to severely impact how I go about my life, including getting to work, taking my children to school, food shopping and so forth. You would think before revoking ones license questions would be asked about how one will cope and not done so casually without any further supporting evidence.
Furthermore to make maters worse I was told I had to come back for a review in 3 months time and the condition on the future of my driving would be based on providing access to my Dexcom device through some sort of online account so they could monitor my control - funny that I walked in thinking the NHS might fund it and instead required to self fund it to act as supporting eveidience to drive again.
