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Going private for a pump

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wittykate

Newbie
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3
Hi,

My partner has been Type 1 diabetic for 19 years and still finds blood glucose control erratic, despite carb counting and doing the DAFNE course. He keeps getting the same advice from the hospital and diabetic nurse, which doesn't seem to help, and they are not willing to consider a pump. Has anyone gone private to get one? If so, how do you go about it and how much does it cost?
 
Hi, No I have not gone private for a pump. My parents are fantastic, and would have remortgaged their house when I was younger to get me a pump...but I would not let them, as I knew, that I was not doing everything I could to help myself...ie, I was not testing and looking after my diabetes as well as I could. In more recent years (the last 7 at least) I have put the effort in, and my control has improved massively. The care team at the hospital, to be frank, did not really help with the this, although they have supported me all the way. (Explaination, they didn't tell me to do anything different, I joined forums etc, and actually did what they advised. In some cases, what they advised was wrong, but becasue I was testing and looking at my own care, I soon spotted this and tried something else...which they were supportive of, and helped with when then could.) Eventually, despite all this, I still needed a pump, to improve my control further...which the NHS has supported fully.


I guess, what I am trying to say, is that the pump will not "fix" hs diabetes, if he is not actively working to sort it out himself. If he is testing, and carb counting, and looking athis insulin ratios etc, and is still not seeing improvements, then the pump won't help. If he is doing all that, and seeing some improvement, but, not as much as he would like...then he should be able to get one through the NHS...although they do have to prioritise.

I do not know the exact cost, but a ball park figure is about £4000 to buy the pump, and then about £350 a month running costs. Also, you do need the professional help to set up the pump and do teh training. It is arguable whether ongoing care is needed...I get this from teh hospital, which is great, but like most things, it is a DIY job most of teh time (with teh help of people on here) with back up from the hospital.

I guess the question is "Why will they not let him have one?" If this is because they think he is a good candidate, but they do not have the budget...then he should go for it.
 
Hello

I was in this situation at one point and when I looked into it it was not just the cost of the pump but more the ongoing cost of running it. For example a box of infusion sets for my pump costs £100 and I get through 3-5 a week!! Also when I mentioned going private it was explained to me that I would get no pump support on the NHS and would have to see a private doctor for that as well.

It took me 5 years of fighting to get my pump and this included moving to a new hospital rather than my closest one to get on the waiting list. My GP also helped enormously so I would advise your partner to speak to his GP and get them onside. Would moving hospitals be an option?
 
Hi,

Thanks for your replies. Maybe going private isn't feasible, but changing hospitals is definitely worth considering.

Thanks.
 
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