Paul_c said:
Westie2 said:
As some one who could be described as a 'short termist bean counter' I would like to counter the statement that the GP is maximising his income.
In the new NHS the money is held by the CCG who allocate the prescribing budget to individual practices, following a complicated formula to account for local needs.
The GP needs to manage his budget to maximise drugs and services for his patients.
BGM strips can vary greatly in price and so some CCGs are looking at using meters with the cheaper and hence more cost effective strips.
I'm a bit confused as to how it can be coming from HIS budget when I'm paying for my prescriptions...
If you're diabetic (unless you are controlling it through diet alone) you shouldnt be paying for your prescriptions:
People with certain medical conditions can get free NHS prescriptions if:
they have one of the conditions listed below and
they hold a valid medical exemption certificate.
Medical exemption certificates are issued on application to people who have:
...
Diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone
...
from
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcost ... costs.aspx
I'm T2, diagnosed 8 months ago. I was in hospital for a minor day op and a routine urine test, followed by a BG test, showed I was severely hyperglycemic. I was put on an insulin drip to lower my BG before they'd operate, and the diabetic nurse was called. They gave me a meter with strips on the spot. I went to the doctor once I was released from hospital and got a repeat for the strips (along with everything else I needed).
I've lost 10kgs, reduced my hba1c from 128 to 62.5, brought my average fasting BG down to 6.2 and halved the initial dose of gliclazide I need since then. My doctor calls me "a model patient" and "an inspiration" - apparently I'm doing everything right that I need to do in order to remain as healthy as possible. The simple reason for this is I am totally anal about testing!!!!! I monitor my BG religiously. Waking, before meals, after meals, before bed. Ok, yes, I dont test as much now as I did to start, because I have pretty much worked out what I can and cant eat, but as some of my symptoms can be caused either by my diabetes or my fibromyalgia (restless leg, IBS, extreme fatigue amongst others) I test whenever I dont feel 100%. Also, every time I go to the doctor or DN they ask me for my BG test results since the last time they saw me! Helps them to work out whether my meds need adjusting apparently.
Knowing my BG levels on a meal by meal basis has helped me tremendously, I'm now on a low glycemic load diet (after struggling to understand why a low glycemic index diet didnt work the way I expected, I stumbled across a book by Dr Rob Thomas). My energy levels (although not perfect thanks to the fibro) have improved a lot, I've lost weight steadily, and I personally believe that keeping my diabetes under tight control helps me manage the fibro too! There is definitely an increase in the pain levels from the fibro when my BGs are high.
I dont know what we can do to improve the situation, except keep going with the protests, petitions, and encouraging people to fight for their right to test as they see fit, but I strongly feel that testing can only be beneficial for both us (the sufferers) and the NHS (reduced complications must surely mean reduced long term costs).
Good luck to anyone struggling to get their test meters and strips, I hope my story can help in some small way.