Insulin Injection Ports - help!

[CosmicOwl]

Hi,

Today my diabetic specialist nurse recommend that I talk to my GP about insulin injection ports, due to my fear of injecting directly into my skin in relation to my eating disorder and other medical issues, I think they sound great.

However when I called my GP as instructed, they were very confused and hadn’t even heard of them.
My dr did some calling around and said they were unable to prescribe them as it wasn’t even on their directory, but that there’s 2 sources of funding and that the hospital might be able to prescribe them for me. Now there seems to be a lot of confusion with my GP and they’re adamant I can’t get them at all without paying, but my diabetic specialist nurse seemed to think I could get them on prescription no issue, I assume this MUST be via the hospital!

Does anyone have any experience with this? I’d appreciate the help so I’m more educated about how to get these ports via the NHS like my specialist nurse seems to think I can do, as they’d be life changing!

Thank you!

 

[Juicyj]

Hello @CosmicOwl

The issue will be the fact that your nurse knows the product but your GP won’t and therefore would probably have not ordered them before and isn’t familiar with the manufacturer - it’s a good idea to get your nurse to email/fax the surgery direct with the product details so your surgery can then order them, however be prepared for a wait whilst they get stock of them, hopefully it will get sorted for you.

 

[CosmicOwl]

Hello @CosmicOwl

The issue will be the fact that your nurse knows the product but your GP won’t and therefore would probably have not ordered them before and isn’t familiar with the manufacturer - it’s a good idea to get your nurse to email/fax the surgery direct with the product details so your surgery can then order them, however be prepared for a wait whilst they get stock of them, hopefully it will get sorted for you.

So my GP can order them if they get the details from my specialist nurse? As from what the GP were implying, they weren’t able to get them for me at all! Just kept repeating that it’s not in their directory despite me giving them the name of the product, and I’m not 100% sure of the ins and outs of that/how this directory works/ if it’s a funding issue due to primary/secondary care or...I’m not sure I’ve been given so much conflicting information!

 

[Juicyj]

Hi @CosmicOwl Whenever I have ever needed say a new insulin prescription or anything else I’ve had to get my DSN to contact my surgery with a letter to confirm the item, as it’s a specialist item it’s best to follow this route, am sure once they have the product details confirmed they will be able to source and order the item, ultimately as your surgery will need to provide these for you on an ongoing basis it’s best to have your team confirm it direct with your practice.