Type 1 Dexcom G6 and Freestyle libre on NHS

[Olliej96]

Hi, I’m Type 1 and have been seeing a lot about the Dexcom G6 and Freestyle libre and am very interested in getting one of these to upgrade from finger pricking.
What I would like to know is does anyone know if either of these are available on the NHS in the east Kent health authority as these are rather expensive to pay for myself, thanks.

 

[LooperCat]

The green areas are prescribing Libre as of last month, I don’t know of any adults being prescribed Dexcom, although I’m happy to be corrected on that. I’m afraid it doesn’t look like any of Kent is doing it yet.



Edit: I’ve done a quick google search and found this: http://www.ashfordccg.nhs.uk/Easysi...setID=442662&type=full&servicetype=Attachment “The FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system is not routinely funded on the local NHS for any patient group.” “Real-time continuous glucose monitoring is not routinely funded by Kent and Medway CCGs for people with Type 1 diabetes.”

 

[Olliej96]

Ahh, that sucks! Thank you for the help, I’m going to speak with my specialist to try and find out a bit more information on perhaps when this could become available in my area

 

[LooperCat]

Ahh, that sucks! Thank you for the help, I’m going to speak with my specialist to try and find out a bit more information on perhaps when this could become available in my area

No problem. From what I’ve read, Kent is one area that has refused it outright while make of the other orange areas just haven’t made a decision yet. It’s the epitome of short-term thinking, when you consider the money they’d save long term.

 

[Scott-C]

@Olliej96 , by spooky coincidence, earlier today Partha Kar tweeted about some libre developments in East Kent. There will probably still be a lot of politics going on but looks like a step forward. Maybe worthwhile googling the ccg - differs between areas, but some publish quite a lot on their websites, minutes of meetings, that sort of stuff.

https://mobile.twitter.com/parthaskar/status/1042306872265592832

 

[Olliej96]

Thank you for this, just checked Twitter and it’s looking promising!

 

[boxing]

I recently changed over from the Libre to the Dexcom G6. Best thing I ever did. Accurate readings compared to bg meter, whereas Libre was mostly way out. eg Libre 2.4 and meter 6. I used to worry all the time. Go for it

 

[jrussell88]

I recently changed over from the Libre to the Dexcom G6. Best thing I ever did. Accurate readings compared to bg meter, whereas Libre was mostly way out. eg Libre 2.4 and meter 6. I used to worry all the time. Go for it

You can use a third-party app such as Glimp (Android) on an NFC-enabled phone to calibrate the Libre sensor.

I got really accurate readings with Glimp, meaning typically less than 0.5mmol/L difference within the 3 to 12mmol/L range and it would even make the odd duff sensor useable.

Having said that, Abbott will replace sensors which are not performing.

 

[Colin of Kent]

I agree with @jrussell88 -- I used Glimp with my Libre sensors, far more accurate than the official Abbott reader. I now use xDrip+ with Blucon Nightrider, and it's equally accurate, and has the advantage that it wakes me up if I'm going high or low.

If anyone needs an argument in favbour of Libre: I got the Libre in about March this year, and I now use about half the number of fingersticks I used to. I was doing about 10 tests a day, but now only test pre-meal, before bed and for driving, so about 5 times a day.

 

[boxing]

I had 3 Libre sensors replaced in about 4 months

 

[Deleted Account]

Thank you for this, just checked Twitter and it’s looking promising!

Take a look at the RMOC guidelines and prepare yourself.

From a recent thread, I think these are
It is recommended that Freestyle Libre® should only be used for people with Type 1 diabetes, aged four and above, attending specialist Type 1 care using multiple daily injections or insulin pump therapy, who have been assessed by the specialist clinician and deemed to meet one or more of the following:
1. Patients who undertake intensive monitoring >8 times daily

2. Those who meet the current NICE criteria for insulin pump therapy (HbA1c >8.5% (69.4mmol/mol) or disabling hypoglycemia as described in NICE TA151) where a successful trial of FreeStyle Libre® may avoid the need for pump therapy.

3. Those who have recently developed impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia. It is noted that for persistent hypoglycaemia unawareness, NICE recommend continuous glucose monitoring with alarms and Freestyle Libre does currently not have that function.

4. Frequent admissions (>2 per year) with DKA or hypoglycaemia.

5. Those who require third parties to carry out monitoring and where conventional blood testing is not possible.

For most CCGs who are funding Libre, they are only funding them for a very small subset of people with diabetes.

Oh and I wouldn't describe the Libre as "an upgrade to finger pricking": it is a useful addition to finger pricking.

 

[HarryMitchell]

I recently changed over from the Libre to the Dexcom G6. Best thing I ever did. Accurate readings compared to bg meter, whereas Libre was mostly way out. eg Libre 2.4 and meter 6. I used to worry all the time. Go for it

Hi, I know this is a bit old but how easy was it to get the funding for the G6? I'm not recognizing my lows at all. Woken up twice recently with readings between 2-2.5!

I want to get the G6 but am also terrified that if I tell my specialist they will take away my driving license

 

[MeiChanski]

Hi, I know this is a bit old but how easy was it to get the funding for the G6? I'm not recognizing my lows at all. Woken up twice recently with readings between 2-2.5!

I want to get the G6 but am also terrified that if I tell my specialist they will take away my driving license

You have to give up your drivers license if you are hypo unaware.

 

[ringi]

You have to give up your drivers license if you are hypo unaware.

Only if not hypo aware while awake, so someone to qualify for a CGM based on not being hypos aware while sleeping without losing their driving licence.