Paying to upgrade pump.

[Daffy]

Just enquiring at the moment as I have an appointment on Tuesday so may find out more then. Anyhow my question is with the changes that came in last week by where you can have private health care but still remain under the NHS, not worded right but you know what I am on about I hope, can I pay the difference in the cost of the pump offered by by consultant and the one I want. They only deal with Roche and although I don't know if they are any good I want the Medtronic one that has a constant infra red blood test monitor. The medtronic is 2750 for pump and 500 for the infra red blood test which is a fair chunk of cash. I don't know how much the Roche pump offered is but even if it is half the price that is a load of cash saved.
If it is not possible and I buy the Medtronic will my GP write me a prescription for the needles and blood test bits that I need if they have not funded the pump. If not this could work out expensive.

 

[jopar]

You can always ask?

As for the pump supplies, infusion sets, cartridges and service packs (and senors for the other pump you wanted) these have to be ordered via the pump company, who does the phoningwill depend on your hospitals policy..

Some you contact clinic and they do it for you, but it seems that most are like my hospital that the hospital set up a account with roch for me and I phone (if before dinner time I get my supplies the next morning) I get the supplies and the bill go direct to my consultant...

I have the Accu-Chek spirit pump by roche, and een though it doesn't have all the whistles and gizmo's that some of the other pumps have it works very well and is quite easy to use... I had really wanted the Aminas 2020 pump mainly because of it finess of it basal delivery as I use so little insulin because I'm very senitive to it, the ability of being able to program a basal rate by 0.025 incredments would make life easier that being restricted to 0.1 of the spirit pump, but with saying that I have found my work around with this so still manage very well indeed...

I had no choice to which pump, it was this is what you are going to start on, you might be able to choose something different when it comes up for renewal in 4 years time that if by using it it shows that there is problems that another pump might solve better....

 

[Nemo]

the medtronic 722 pump has the cgm built into it, but yes, you do still have to pay for the sensors though.

I was gutted when my 712 broke and they replaced it with a 722, to be told a couple of days later it was a mistake, could I send it back please and they wouldgive me a new 712!

 

[pumpinpatsy]

Hi, I've just gone on the Animas. My hospital offered the Roche and Meditronic too. The rep for Meditronic didn't recommend using the continuous glucose monitor all the time. Are you intending using it continuously?

 

[bonerp]

In theory you can have what pump you like it's called patient choice. But try getting it.

I don't believe you can actually have any pump you like! I was speaking to my specialist nurse last night and they have contracts with suppliers - for my local PCT the choice is Roche or Medtronic.

The reason for this is that they can reduce the cost of consumables overall by putting the business through one or 2 suppliers only.

I queried, for example the cozmo and thats not on the list for my hospital and as its more expensive they also wouldn't even consider it.

This also means you cannot try sets from different firms and that is also part of the contract.

I dont see that this is a problem at all as they are offering choice - just a choice of 2

Paul

 

[Stuboy]

you *should* be able to get any pump that's stated in the NICE guidelines.

Did anyone see the diabeteslive webcast on pumps? They stated on there are well that the PCT can't refuse you on the grounds on funding, i dont see why you shouldn't be able to have the pump you want on the grounds of funding or "deals with the supplier" either.

I could be wrong...

 

[bonerp]

I think if the hospital offer 2 alternatives that have the same functionality and come at a cheaper price, some areas in the country may well stop you from having choice beyond what they offer.

I can understand why they have 'preferred suppliers'. As with an industry they have selected those that offered the best value overall which will take into account consumables etc.

And lets face it some pumps with colour screens etc - are they really necessary??!

Paul