Element Blood Glucose Monitor.

[Daphne917]

Hi have you contacted to see if you can geta freebie ??

I got a free Contour Next and also bought an Accu-chek nano but it's the strips that cost unfortunately. I did try to get the strips prescribed but was told because I was diet only I didn't need to test!!

 

[Alzebra]

Hi @Alzebra.

It must seem so unfair to you that some diabetics get everything prescribed....and some, like yourself, have to self fund.

I'm in a position where I can afford my own testing supplies so it's not really that which annoys me. It's the idea that I must go cap in hand to a HCP to beg for treatment / monitoring, and that it will essentially be at their whim whether to provide it or not. That's what I find very unfair in a publically-funded health service. But this is a gripe (grudge?) that pre-dates my diabetes by nearly 20 years and is best left unstirred

 

[eddie1968]

I feel sorry and frustrated (in fact a bit angry) at the NHS attitude to free meters and strips for T2 diabetics. Issuing some strips periodically for those on tablets or diet-only, reassures them on their BGs, diet and exercise implications and they can monitor their progress. This might actually save the NHS by making people healthier and eventually coming off meds if they achieve control. I've always used the accucheck Aviva but can pick a fancy meter if I wanted to. I inject insulin twice a day and test before injecting and two hours later. The NHS are quite happy to chuck 50 test strips every 3 weeks or so for free but give you hard time if you want to self monitor not on insulin. It's so unfair and is 3rd tier healthcare.

 

[Alisonjane10]

I feel sorry and frustrated (in fact a bit angry) at the NHS attitude to free meters and strips for T2 diabetics. Issuing some strips periodically for those on tablets or diet-only, reassures them on their BGs, diet and exercise implications and they can monitor their progress. This might actually save the NHS by making people healthier and eventually coming off meds if they achieve control. I've always used the accucheck Aviva but can pick a fancy meter if I wanted to. I inject insulin twice a day and test before injecting and two hours later. The NHS are quite happy to chuck 50 test strips every 3 weeks or so for free but give you hard time if you want to self monitor not on insulin. It's so unfair and is 3rd tier healthcare.

Here here @eddie1968. I concur. X

 

[Tim55]

Couldn't agree more.

I was given a Glucometer first time I saw my DN.

Also lancets, 100 strips, a sharps box and a testing regimen to follow along with strict instructions not to eat to it.

So I followed instructions to the letter but I continued to eat to my SD Codefree

However at the follow up 3 months later HBA1c was down to "Non-diabetic levels" and I was specifically told not to test anymore and I have been unable to get strips prescribed for my Glucometer ever since, despite arguing that self monitoring is key to my management strategy.

Hey Ho. I am fortunate enough to be able to fund my SD strips but don't feel very happy about it

 

[tr4cie]

I self fund all my testing too, have just ordered my meter etc. Gateshead Health Authority don't issue anything now.