Freestyle Libre NHS

[benhippers661]

Hi, I’ve heard that you can now get the Freestyle Libre on the NHS for free? Is this true? And how would I go about getting one?

I find it quite difficult at the moment checking blood sugars during school times and I feel like something like this may make it easier.

Thanks

 

[porl69]

You will need to speak to your diabetic doctor to have the trial with the Libre. Then as long as you meet the criteria AND your local health board/CCG is prescribing them then you will be ok. A minimum of 8 finger pricked a day is one of the criteria

 

[benhippers661]

You will need to speak to your diabetic doctor to have the trial with the Libre. Then as long as you meet the criteria AND your local health board/CCG is prescribing them then you will be ok. A minimum of 8 finger pricked a day is one of the criteria

Ah okay thank you. I finger prick around 6 times a day so I guess I wouldn’t qualify. Ill still ask about it out of curiosity. Thanks a lot

 

[porl69]

Yeah definitely worth asking @benhippers661

 

[YorkshireAli]

I've been using the Libre for nearly two years now, self-funding, and when I asked my doctor about getting them on prescription I was told that GPs can't prescribe, only the diabetic consultant/specialist. I had my appointment early in December at the hospital and the doctor there said he'd have no problem recommending me for prescription as it had made such a difference to my results but that it might take a couple of days to show on my records. Still waiting....

So it's worth pursuing but probably don't hold your breath for anything to happen quickly.

 

[mossys]

Seems some area CCG's have the authority to prescribe. Unfortunately I'm in Leicestershire who currently do not

 

[Paul_Stone]

I too have had problems convincing my GP that testing with Freestyle Libre is more costs-effective than pricking my finger at least 10 times a day (yes, I'm slightly obsessive about testing). His final excuse was that Freestyle Libre doesn't appear on his drugs tariff so he's not allowed to prescribe it! I think that this will be the case around the country (postcode lottery again) until the NHS get the message that there's a real need to provide it to us. The benefits in terms of immediate cost are obvious, but the long-term cost saving in terms of the positive effects of better control and fewer complications will be invaluable.

Diabetes.co.uk - please help - some lobbying is needed!

 

[dbr10]

I too have had problems convincing my GP that testing with Freestyle Libre is more costs-effective than pricking my finger at least 10 times a day (yes, I'm slightly obsessive about testing). His final excuse was that Freestyle Libre doesn't appear on his drugs tariff so he's not allowed to prescribe it! I think that this will be the case around the country (postcode lottery again) until the NHS get the message that there's a real need to provide it to us. The benefits in terms of immediate cost are obvious, but the long-term cost saving in terms of the positive effects of better control and fewer complications will be invaluable.

Diabetes.co.uk - please help - some lobbying is needed!

The last NHS reorganisation - the one the Government had no plans to make - made GPs responsible for their own budgets, creating an obvious conflict of interest when it comes to acting in the best interest of the patient.

 

[TheBigNewt]

GPs don't treat Type 1 diabetes here, only endocrinologists. Maybe places where they don't have any they do, like an Indian reservation. Sounds to me like they shouldn't treat it there either, just Type 2. I can see why they can't prescribe a CGM, which is pretty complicated.

 

[Arrybo]

Hi all,

Been to see my Dsn today and I have been given the meter and 1 sensor on a trial basis with the agreeance that if I find it useful that I will self fund the sensors, I live in Macclesfield and come under east Cheshire CCG, so if you are under this area ask for a trial, upside is that my dsn has said that hopefully in feb they will be able to prescribe

 

[dbr10]

Hi all,

Been to see my Dsn today and I have been given the meter and 1 sensor on a trial basis with the agreeance that if I find it useful that I will self fund the sensors, I live in Macclesfield and come under east Cheshire CCG, so if you are under this area ask for a trial, upside is that my dsn has said that hopefully in feb they will be able to prescribe

I hope so.

 

[Arrybo]

Hi all, correct me if I am wrong but it seems as thought eastern cheshire ccg/MMT Have rubber stamped freestyle sensors on prescription.

 

[Neilwalker1]

Disappointing that I was t9ld today by my GP that after being supplied with 9 sensors on prescription she is no longer able to issue them as they are not on some list or another. Back to finger pricking. Been doing it for 30years so was nice not to for a few month