I live in the UK. A few years ago I did a trial with the libre and it really helped but because it was a trial I couldn't afford to buy the product. Does anyone know if I can get it on the NHS or?
Type 1 Libre
- Thread starter HalfaHuman
- Start Date
- Messages
- 5,591
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
- Dislikes
- The smell of cigars
It depends... technically they are available on prescription but your consultant has to approve it and there are guidelines like currently testing 8 times a day or certain a1c values.
xfieldok
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 4,182
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
Usually it is only prescribed for T1s. As a T2 I was self funding. My nurse gave me a prescription because I am on insulin and using steroids. As soon as the steroids stop, so will the prescriptions.
MeiChanski
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 2,992
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
Hello, it depends on your CCG and consultant. Of course there is a criteria as well. Your best bet is asking your consultant because there are some areas in England that are not prescribing it yet.
I am a type one diabetic but struggle to test a lot due to a busy life style and I remember it being so quick and easy to just scan myself.
MeiChanski
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 2,992
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
That might be a difficult one to argue to get a libre. Libre sensors doesn't eradicate finger pricking completely, there's room for it to fail and sometimes it's not accurate compared to a finger prick reading.
kaylz91
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 1,090
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
sorry but people have been made to test a minimum of 8 times a day to get it on prescription no matter what lifestyle they lead, presuming you have 3 meals a day and before bed there is 4 tests straight away, folk have had to jump through hoops to get it but you seem to think you are entitled?
Last edited by a moderator:
miahara
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 1,019
- Type of diabetes
- Type 3c
- Treatment type
- Insulin
I'm T2, but because I inject at least 4 times a day and have undertaken to test at least 6 times a day, I've met the criterea in Scotland for Libre on prescription. I seldom finger prick now - mainly to check lowish readings before driving and/or if my levels are low and showing a rapid fall. I've found very little difference between the tests - usually only around 1 mmol
In no way shape or form did I even infer I was entitled. I was simply asking a question. Oh and you don't know my life style so please don't assume.
Edited by a moderator.
Edited by a moderator.
Last edited by a moderator:
That is a very good idea to look at the criteria as I have had a three month battle with my local NHS about this , I am currently self funding. It has changed my life completely - for the better !
That’s excellent news for you guys I’m hoping Telford area NHS will come round eventually for the good of all the people here
MeiChanski
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 2,992
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
I think some areas are handling them out as a trial if they meet the criteria, my dsn said each case is looked at individually because some have to do a course or education programme for it and some are like me who just do a 6 month try out. However I think it is difficult for OP to argue for one, but it is up to their CCG and hospital because some are lenient and some are not.
becca59
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 2,869
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
I live in Leeds and had to fight hard for it. It took the consultant 20 mins to write the details justifying it. I self funded for 2 years had reduced my HBA1C each year and worked very hard at keeping within my tight 4.5-8.5 criteria. I certainly wasn’t handed a goody bag. Prescription is for 6 months and I had to sign a form to agree I was going to continue as I had been doing.
Muneeb
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 428
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
How long ago was that? I went and had no issues at all, I met the criteria of testing more than 10x a day and/or hypos during exercise. I got it prescribed end of last year, but I didn't go to the consultant, I went to the DSN.
Personally, i find it totally frustrating that I choose to test over 8 times a day and use a Libre because it improves my readings. Yet, I am still self funding 100%. I even created a recent government petition to at least supply the sensor on a cost-neutral basis rather that let most of us pay full price of £50 a sensor ourselves or go without.
Instead of being told it’s a funding issue or postcode lottery, then supply the sensor for the difference in cost. The NHS pay around £35 a sensor I am told, so take that cost, deduct a box of test strips, and the difference is the contribution, at least that is a lot fairer and removes pleading. But apparently the NHS cannot do that either. Diabetes care is moving forward and the NHS needs to keep up with technology. It’s not really surprising they are still the worlds biggest buyer of fax machines!
Don’t get be wrong, I love so much of the NHS, especially the amazing, hard working and skilled front line nurses, doctors, consultants and surgeons, but instead of pointless surveys, invest in technology and being more efficient. We need the NHS to work for everyone, even if we have to pay more because the alternative is self funding / private (just like we are doing now buying our own sensors)
Instead of being told it’s a funding issue or postcode lottery, then supply the sensor for the difference in cost. The NHS pay around £35 a sensor I am told, so take that cost, deduct a box of test strips, and the difference is the contribution, at least that is a lot fairer and removes pleading. But apparently the NHS cannot do that either. Diabetes care is moving forward and the NHS needs to keep up with technology. It’s not really surprising they are still the worlds biggest buyer of fax machines!
Don’t get be wrong, I love so much of the NHS, especially the amazing, hard working and skilled front line nurses, doctors, consultants and surgeons, but instead of pointless surveys, invest in technology and being more efficient. We need the NHS to work for everyone, even if we have to pay more because the alternative is self funding / private (just like we are doing now buying our own sensors)
Last edited:
MeiChanski
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 2,992
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
You can get it cheaper than £50, it depends on which pharmacy you're buying it from. But I know Abbott charge almost £60 per sensor. However I think in general it isn't affordable, I mean we can rant on about companies making money out of the sick and dying. My fingers point at Abbott for charging so much for it, so I wouldn't point at NHS. I don't know if you have asked your consultant about it? I know some areas in England aren't prescribing it yet.
If you meet the guildlines and have any problems getting a Libre on the NHS contect https://mobile.twitter.com/parthaskar as he is a national lead for diabetes and is well know for phone CCGs etc to "explain" the rules to them when people are having problems.
Thanks for the contact info ringi
Firstly, over the last 18 months I have been told by my diabetes specialist and my diabetes consultant I would be near the top of the list for Libre as I am self funding and seeing reduced Hba1c, so far, nothing. Secondly, I find it very confusing about the criteria. What happens is someone says, you don’t need to test eight times, only six, so we don’t think you meet criteria?
I am going to talk to consultants once again, get an update and if no joy I will contact parthaskar
Firstly, over the last 18 months I have been told by my diabetes specialist and my diabetes consultant I would be near the top of the list for Libre as I am self funding and seeing reduced Hba1c, so far, nothing. Secondly, I find it very confusing about the criteria. What happens is someone says, you don’t need to test eight times, only six, so we don’t think you meet criteria?
I am going to talk to consultants once again, get an update and if no joy I will contact parthaskar
