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Has anyone here challenged the ruling of their PCT?

T

Trulee

Well-Known Member
Messages
96
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I wonder if anyone has - I am in the unfortunate position that this is the avenue I am about to embark on, and so far, it is a total minefield as to how you go about doing this effectively.

Any suggestions would be welcomed.

thanks all
Trulee
 
Hi Trulee

Yes I'm currently in the middle of an appeals process regarding a recent Exceptional Funding decision, see my posts in the Insulin Pump forum about CGM and NHS funding. A frustrating mix of utter bureaucracy, pen pushers, bean counters and "management consultants". Their strategy appears to be one of "divide and conquer", but I have a very supportive healthcare team, a highly motivated consultant fighting my corner (essential), oh and me too who can play the role of "customer from hell" better than most! Let me know if I can help. :wink:
 
Hi Trulee
Get in touch with DUK, they have some instruments for this sort of thing
 
Yes indeed! DUK have today provided me with a whole stack of very useful information and leads, to assist in my ongoing battle. :D
 
They have their uses, as long as you ignore their dietary info.
 
I put the ball in motion over test strips, but my prescription was reinstated before it progressed
 
i am going through the pct now , as they wont pay for a gastric pacemaker , as iv also got gastroparesis so am sick everyday , its hard , you have 2 get a good solicter and doctor on your side , iv got a great gp and new diabetic doctor now at preston as iv been through them all in blackpool
good luck, you just have to keep fighting them , i am , am hopefully getting the money from my solicter to have the op x x
 
Hi Trulee,

It rather depends on what your challenge to the PCT is about. If it is something like funding for an insulin pump, or gastric band op, or one of the expensive meds (like Byetta), then to be successful you need strong backing from a consultant who is prepared to argue your need for the treatment.

If it is about not being able to get test strips on prescription, then it's a fight you can do yourself because PCTs who advise GP practices not to prescribe are doing so in contravention of government policy on self testing. I know that some time ago (probably more than a year ago now) some of our members wrote to their respective PCTs to ask why they have been instructing GPs not to prescribe, and copied their letter to the Secretary of State for Health. In each case the PCT backed down with comments like "your GP must have misunderstood one of our communications" or "we will clarify the prescribing instructions with our GPs".

As others have said there is a lot of good info on the Diabetes UK website about how to complain.
 
Someone please point me in the right direction please?? What is or who are PCT? And how do I find a contact for my area?

Looked at DUK website but under complaints it is showing PALS etc., but cannot find what PCT is.

I want to challenge my GP's "advice" of not supporting self testing for T2 paitients.


Thanks
Alice
 
Hi Alice

PCT stands for Primary Care Trust, and is the geographical division of the NHS into separate entities, for the purposes of all NHS healthcare provision in that region.

My current battle with my local PCT has all been led by my consultant, I have only had to provide a couple of supporting testimonies to the process. I am waiting by my letter box for the result of the latest appeal which took place on Tuesday...

I think the circumstances around the "advice" offered by your doctor have been discussed elsewhere on the forum, I'm sorry I can't remember where.

Good Luck!
 
Hi Alice
PALS can be helpful if you have questions about your treatment.
 
Kegstore and hanadr - thanks for your info!

First step - have made an appointment with a senior member of the surgery (founding member) and have asked for a copy of the Complaints procedure. So firstly talking to another GP, as I got nowhere with the other GP - it was all "I do not believe in .... lalallaa and only when on insulin" when I asked for Surgery practise. He was not remotely interested in discussing anything else around managing my diabetes nor addressing my re-occuring panic attacks.

If NHS NICE Guideline says that I am entitled to this equipment to manage my diabetes, I am not about to take this attitude of "I don believe in" laying down!

As most of you are saying, one need to be able to test to effectively manage diabetes, that be Type 1 or 2 or anything else.

I intend to get the care I am entitled to ......... one way or another!

If anyone have challenged their GP's refusal to issue test strips / lancets, any sample letters etc. you are willing to share would be much appreciated.


Thanks
Alice
 
Hi,
I was told by my doctor that i could test twice a week, Ok, but i drive a 7.5 tonne van for a living so i checked with the DVLA and was told i should make sure i was ok to drive before i started driving,
every time i started driving???, how when i can only test twice a week, so i went to the PCT and they went mad, asking for my doctors name and address so THEY could tell him to give me as many test strips as i needed.
Job done.
Graham1441, :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
 
Good for you Graham.

As I said above, PCTs know they are skating on thin ice and will generally back down if challenged. The NICE guidelines (for Type 2s) state

Offer self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education. Discuss its purpose and agree how it should be interpreted and acted upon.

R23 Self-monitoring of plasma glucose should be available:
to those on insulin treatment
to those on oral glucose lowering medications to provide information on hypoglycaemia
to assess changes in glucose control resulting from medications and lifestyle changes
to monitor changes during intercurrent illness
to ensure safety during activities, including driving.

R24 Assess at least annually and in a structured way:
self-monitoring skills
the quality and appropriate frequency of testing
the use made of the results obtained
the impact on quality of life
the continued benefit
the equipment used.

R25 If self-monitoring is appropriate but blood glucose monitoring is unacceptable to the individual, discuss the use of urine glucose monitoring.

Ann Keen, Under-Secretary of State for Health gave the following written response to Michael Foster MP

Any PCT which is automatically discouraging the prescription of blood glucose testing strips is not acting in according with NICE's advice that self-monitoring may prove useful to people in their overall approach to self-care.
 
Thanks all - have been a bit out of the loop the last couple of weeks as I lost my internet connection - thank you for all the suggestions - will sift through them and try them this week
 
I have emailed my PCT, and asked them to explain their criteria on not fudning testing and also to outline their appeals procedure, I've quoted the NICE guidance so will be interested to see what they say. :!:
 
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