Disagreement with doctors about testing strips

[akindrat18]

This morning I went to see my doctor to get my blood test results, which I did. Everything is fine apart from my hba1c and when I asked for more testing strips, he denied my request and said that the 50 a month I already get is enough. I'm expected to test once or twice a day, even though I'm on insulin.

 

[Ann1982]

That is ridiculous. I’m type 2 on insulin as well but I am lucky enough to get more whenever I need them average 150 per month, I had purchases some myself as I had an ongoing argument regarding the meter the doctor supplied me with.it was rubbish but I finally won!

 

[Juicyj]

Hi @akindrat18 If your GP is refusing to issue more test strips please speak to your practice manager at the surgery and make an official complaint, state you are insulin controlled and need more test strips, they should not deny you this, let us know how you get on ?

 

[Graham76]

Bah, that sucks. I had a similar experience with my GP, but thankfully it got resolved pretty quickly when I asked him to do the math. My argument was that there are 50 test strips in a pot and I have to test 4x daily. Once he did the math he put it right again. I hope you get it sorted out soon.

 

[Deleted Account]

Diabetes UK provides advocacy regarding test strip availability: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/how_we_...cks/availability-of-blood-glucose-test-strips

 

[meandmaboy]

Many thanx for that helensaramay. Here in Glasgow everyone has been changed to Nexus meters since the end of last year.
I am on gliclizide / metform & the the moment giving low carb a serious go.
When my meter was changed I was given 50 strips per 2 months, I did challenge this but was told not to test every day (ha ha! WOULD NEED 60 STRIPS FOR THAT )
As a result I have bought 2 boxes from Nexus , till I feel able to challenge, but now the info sheets you have given, hopefully will back me up.
Thank you .

 

[paulus1]

thats pretty rubbish. almost like they want you to have bad control. your type does not matter when your insulin dependent. you easily could go from normal to hypo in a day. ask the doctor is it cheaper to deal with the complication that will arise from poor control. now if your an old hand thats been stable for years and know what you eat and its affects then maybe once a day maybe just about doable. tell the doctor if you cant monitor the effects of the insulin then you will have to stop it. pity the qos payments have gone that made doctors interested in good diabetic health.

 

[lucylocket61]

Are there no NICE guidelines for t2 on insulin, like there are for t1 on insulin?

 

[akindrat18]

@Juicyj, I called my diabetes nurse and she agrees that I should only be testing once in the morning and once at night.

I've been looking at buying some testing strips online, but they are expensive.

I've got another appointment with a different doctor next month on the 6th, hopefully she should be more helpful.

 

[DCUKMod]

@Juicyj, I called my diabetes nurse and she agrees that I should only be testing once in the morning and once at night.

I've been looking at buying some testing strips online, but they are expensive.

I've got another appointment with a different doctor next month on the 6th, hopefully she should be more helpful.

Hi Akindrat, good to hear from you.

Is your diabetes nurse at your surgery, or at the hospital? If she's at the surgery, she's probably just the practise nurse who deals with diabetics, as opposed to a specialist nurse with an MSc in her speciality.

 

[ringi]

Remember that the DVLA rules about driving require a test strip to be used at least every 2hr while driving....... Maybe some people need to start to learn to drive!

 

[walnut_face]

The problem is the way GP's are funded. Most, (if not all) GP surgeries are private enterprises. They receive a 'capitation fee' for each patient on their books. They also receive payments for achieving targets (e.g. MMR Vacination, STATINS) They also receive an additional fee for patients with chronic conditions - diabetes is just one. This means they will spend the absolute minimum necessary to 'tick the boxes' and make the claim from the NHS.

Sorry to say their wealth is more important than our health

 

[dbr10]

@Juicyj, I called my diabetes nurse and she agrees that I should only be testing once in the morning and once at night.

I've been looking at buying some testing strips online, but they are expensive.

I've got another appointment with a different doctor next month on the 6th, hopefully she should be more helpful.

I've been round them all at my practice. Try SD code free meter from Home Health UK.

 

[ringi]

But drugs and test strips do not come out of a GPs funding! The GPs funding only covers their staffing and building costs.

 

[walnut_face]

But drugs and test strips do not come out of a GPs funding! The GPs funding only covers their staffing and building costs.

True to a point, the Clinical Commissioning Group sets budgets, and guidance that they are held to. Penalties are issued where GP's go over budget

 

[Jaylee]

Hi @akindrat18 ,

There is a print off letter from the department of health that may help your prescription test strip issue.
The link is here.. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa.../Safe-care-of-people-with-type-1-diabetes.pdf

 

[lucylocket61]

Hi @akindrat18 ,

There is a print off letter from the department of health that may help your prescription test strip issue.
The link is here.. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa.../Safe-care-of-people-with-type-1-diabetes.pdf

The problem seems to be that, as a Type 2 taking insulin, the type 1 guidelines can be ignored. There do not seem to be any guidelines for a type 2 on insulin.

 

[Jaylee]

The problem seems to be that, as a Type 2 taking insulin, the type 1 guidelines can be ignored. There do not seem to be any guidelines for a type 2 on insulin.

Hi,
I fully appreciate & empathise this is a case of an ID T2 on MDI. However, it's worth a shot emphasising the type of treatment used in managment? Insulin use needs monitoring. We all agree that a lot can go on with BS over a 24h period & testing twice won't do with anyone on insulin.

 

[david1968]

When I saw my GP last week and she agreed I could go onto metformin, she did say that she'd be taking both Levemir and Novorapid off my repeat prescriptions. Just checked to see if she's taken the test strips and the lancets off, but they're both still on there for the moment.

 

[Jordi77]

I'm a type 2 on insulin and I can get my test strips when I want at a 100 a time and I am using the contour next one meter and the strips are £26 each and I get them without any problems and the same with the Lancet's and I use around 150 or so when I test 4 times a day