If you didn't fullfil your prescription for test strips before yesterday, and live in Bucks, you are in for a nasty surprise.
I picked up my prescription today and, instead of strips, I got a note saying T2 Diabetics on Metformin only don't need them. I marched to my GP (a Locum at short notice) who told me that GPS throughout Bucks have been instructed that they MUST (his words) abide by the NICE guidelines. These say that a once a year HbA1C is sufficient. I told him that testing my glucose levels at home was a vital part of my control process. He said that NICE disagree. I said how would they know, they don't know me? He eventually admitted that this was about cost saving (aparently (EDIT name of hospital removed) is bleeding money, and they have to make cutbacks). I said in that case, I need to have an HbA1C test at least FOUR times a year, or how will they know if I'm ok? I also said, that NICE must not be worrying about my long term prognosis, and the potential long term cost of complications, as there is now a potential for a NINE TO TEN MONTHS gap between problems and them showing up in any test.
He also said the timing was 'unfortunate', but that EVERY Metformin only Diabetic in Bucks would be getting a letter in the next few days to tell tham that their strips were being withdrawn.
He said make an appointment with your own GP, and discuss it with them. I'll let you know what happens.
I'm planning to write to my MP about this. Please do the same if you can.
(No smilie - there isn't one angry enough)
I picked up my prescription today and, instead of strips, I got a note saying T2 Diabetics on Metformin only don't need them. I marched to my GP (a Locum at short notice) who told me that GPS throughout Bucks have been instructed that they MUST (his words) abide by the NICE guidelines. These say that a once a year HbA1C is sufficient. I told him that testing my glucose levels at home was a vital part of my control process. He said that NICE disagree. I said how would they know, they don't know me? He eventually admitted that this was about cost saving (aparently (EDIT name of hospital removed) is bleeding money, and they have to make cutbacks). I said in that case, I need to have an HbA1C test at least FOUR times a year, or how will they know if I'm ok? I also said, that NICE must not be worrying about my long term prognosis, and the potential long term cost of complications, as there is now a potential for a NINE TO TEN MONTHS gap between problems and them showing up in any test.
He also said the timing was 'unfortunate', but that EVERY Metformin only Diabetic in Bucks would be getting a letter in the next few days to tell tham that their strips were being withdrawn.
He said make an appointment with your own GP, and discuss it with them. I'll let you know what happens.
I'm planning to write to my MP about this. Please do the same if you can.
(No smilie - there isn't one angry enough)
