It depends on your area , where you are in the country. Different health authorities have chosen different meters, here in Northumberland you have a choice between the Element and Glucolab , but I believe it is a different choice in Tyneside and elsewhere across the country. The meters on the discretionary list for Northumberland are Bayer, Abbott Freestyle others used together with a pump and another I can't remember the name of for visually impaired people. This list will probably differ elsewhere .
The one thing in common nationwide is that the meters chosen are cheap, and the test strips are cheaper, none of the names we are used to are being prescribed. Having said that, after a sensible discussion with my practice manager and some hard data as to the accuracy ( not!) of the Glucolab, I still have my Contour and strips and lancets are still being prescribed and will remain so.
I think what annoys me and many others was the lack of consultation with the end users, us. The choices made were determined by cost and the meters and strips barely scraping through the standards required.
My findings when trialling was that the new meters compared badly in accuracy, sometimes dangerously so if the readings given were used to calculate insulin doses or determine a safe driving level. In addition, the strip errors were greatly increased, leading to strip wastage . I've been told unofficially that HCP's in this area are unhappy with the performance of the chosen meters.
Having said all that, some members on here have used them and found that they suited their needs. I fully support the need to keep prescribing costs down ( apart from my issue concerning long term effects of non prescription for Type 2's
) which is why I agreed to trial the meters when they were rolled out in this area.
Signy