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Hi all,
I went to see my surgery today to get my repeat prescription and they informed my they cannot issue my current prescription of bayer contour test strips as they are enforcing a meter change, they gave me a letter (summerized here)
Now, I fall into the first category as I am a type 1 and test between 5-10 times a day depending on eating, exercise and driving etc. I also have around 5-6 Contour meters in various places (bag, car, work, bedroom, spare etc.) and have a repeat prescription of 300 strips.
The initial change to my repeat was to remove the 300 bayer strips and replace it with 50 Omnitest 3 strips!
The nurse I saw gave me one more prescription of bayer test strips (because the new meters were not available yet), and I have to go back in a months time (I cannot make the date of the clinic) to pick up my new meter and change my prescription. Apparently this is a change that has been enforced by the local PCT and isn't a decision made at the surgury. It sounds like a cost cutting measure as apparently the meters are more expensive but the strips are cheaper...
Has anyone else had something similar happen in their area (I live in SE London)?
Does anyone know my rights as a patient here? I am quite happy with my current set up and don't really want to change over! If I were given one meter, what would I do if it were to break or I lost it?
Does anyone have an Omnitest 3 meter - what is it like to use? I quite like the Contour meter because it is very easy to use, the test strips are not to small or large, it is small and doesn't look ugly!
Cheers all,
James
I went to see my surgery today to get my repeat prescription and they informed my they cannot issue my current prescription of bayer contour test strips as they are enforcing a meter change, they gave me a letter (summerized here)
We are writing because you are currently using a blood glucose-testing device for your Diabetes. As a practice we are reviewing all patients receiving blood glucose test strips on repeat prescription to ensure that they are fully informed about when/if they should be testing and how to get the most beenfit from the results.
According to the most recent guidelines it is advisable to be testing your blood glucose as per the following directions:
[*]Insulin alone or together with oral medication for diabetes - Test once daily as a minimum or as directed by you GP/Nurse
[*]Glicazide, Glibenclamid, Glimepiride or Glipzide alone or together with other medication for diabetes - Test at least 3 times/week, esp. before driving, strenuous exercise or before under taking any task for which hypos could be a danger
Please also note that your brand of test strip has been changed to a strip called Omnitest 3(r), which is the practice preferred preparation.
In order to discuss how to get the most benefit from testing your blood glucose and to facilitate the change over to the new device, the practice will be offering a a clinic by appointment run by XX who will provide you with the new meter and to explain how it works.
<<detail on clinic time>>
Now, I fall into the first category as I am a type 1 and test between 5-10 times a day depending on eating, exercise and driving etc. I also have around 5-6 Contour meters in various places (bag, car, work, bedroom, spare etc.) and have a repeat prescription of 300 strips.
The initial change to my repeat was to remove the 300 bayer strips and replace it with 50 Omnitest 3 strips!
The nurse I saw gave me one more prescription of bayer test strips (because the new meters were not available yet), and I have to go back in a months time (I cannot make the date of the clinic) to pick up my new meter and change my prescription. Apparently this is a change that has been enforced by the local PCT and isn't a decision made at the surgury. It sounds like a cost cutting measure as apparently the meters are more expensive but the strips are cheaper...
Has anyone else had something similar happen in their area (I live in SE London)?
Does anyone know my rights as a patient here? I am quite happy with my current set up and don't really want to change over! If I were given one meter, what would I do if it were to break or I lost it?
Does anyone have an Omnitest 3 meter - what is it like to use? I quite like the Contour meter because it is very easy to use, the test strips are not to small or large, it is small and doesn't look ugly!
Cheers all,
James