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Freestyle Libre

  • Thread starter Thread starter karl76uk
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karl76uk

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Hello I'm trying to find out if the FreeStyle Libre is now available on nhs prescription or not ?

I used a service called pharmacy2u and I notice it's now available on their app. I gave them a call to ask them do they have it or not and they told me yes it's available and on repeat prescription.

So I call my doctors today and they just said it's not available if this is the case why is pharmacy2u have it ?

I live in Greenwich London.

Thanks
 

It officialy became 'available' on the NHS on 1st November 2017. The big issue here is that some CCG's have agreed to fund it, some are refusing, and even the ones funding it may attach criteria to its provision - such as how well controlled one's blood glucose is.

As with everything related to diabetes, nothing is straight forward.
 
I know that our CCGs said it will be available soon in Greenwich but it’s about right nothing is straightforward, I don’t understand why it’s aloud to happen, especially when they want to save nhs money.
 
karl76uk said:
I know that our CCGs said it will be available soon in Greenwich but it’s about right nothing is straightforward, I don’t understand why it’s aloud to happen, especially when they want to save nhs money.
Click to expand...
Prior to escaping via voluntary early retirement, I was head of my profession across an NHS trust - my constant alerts to the need for the trust and NHS London to adopt a “speculate to accumulate” mentality in order to a) save money and b) achieve significant clinical change fell on profoundly deaf ears!
I also think that the jury is still out re the Libre - its a fabulous piece of kit when it works well but there are accuracy issues, prtic at high / lo end of the scale - CCGs may well be looking for more data and also to see what happens with the competitor devices before commiting to Libre
 
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But as I said Pharmacy2U say it’s available and on repeat prescriptions so what’s going on Pharmacy2U also covers the whole UK too.
 
karl76uk said:
But as I said Pharmacy2U say it’s available and on repeat prescriptions so what’s going on Pharmacy2U also covers the whole UK too.
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Guess they only need it to be licenced for NHS use (which it is) and 1person actually getting ( theres more than that but not high numbers) it in order to be able to say that
 
Boo1979 said:
Guess they only need it to be licenced for NHS use (which it is) and 1person actually getting ( theres more than that but not high numbers) it in order to be able to say that
Click to expand...

I expect the PM gets it on prescription (though to be fair she can probably afford to pay for it so maybe not).
 
18/05/2018


Position Statement on Freestyle Libre

NHS Greenwich CCG has reviewed the NHS England London Diabetes Clinical Network and NHS London Procurement Partnership's implementation guidance for FreeStyle Libre
prescribing and has approved its usage as per the details in this document from the London Clinical Network.

In line with the South East London Area Prescribing Committee (SEL APC), we are working on an implementation plan, and our current mandate is as follows:

Your specialist team are able to discuss starting FreeStyle Libre
under the London guidance with you. GPs are not able to start patients on this device so please do ask your specialist team about this. GPs are not able to initiate under the guidance.

Specialist services are responsible for providing training and support.

Please wait for your next routine appointment with your clinic to discuss starting FreeStyle Libre
. Additional appointments for this may put on a strain on your local services.

If you are currently paying for FreeStyle Libre
yourself, this does not automatically mean you can get it on prescription. Your specialist team will discuss your eligibility with you as per the London guidance. If you do not meet the specified criteria for NHS prescriptions, you may of course still continue to self-fund this item.
 
All this just seems **** to me it’s like they are saying

Yes yes yes but then No no no !
 
I am in East Berks who WILL NOT prescribe it. I have gone back and forth and they say it’s due to a lack of evidence, I have now asked them which other CCGs have they liaised with to gain their evidence as many others have passed it.

Also emailed my MP as part of the Diabetes UK fight for flash asking for his attendance at the Diabetes APPG. To be told ‘he probably deleted it as he probably isn’t interested’

I have polite resent the email and will call again tomorrow.

The whole thing is shocking! My battle continues on behalf of everyone in East Berks
 
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