hanadr
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After hearing Lord Darzi on the radio, talking about improvements to the NHS, I wrote him the following letter
My Lord,
I am one of many type 2 diabetics, who feel VERY hard done by. The standard of our diabetes care is totally inadequate. Our PCTs have decided to deny us home blood glucose testing.
We are those, not using insulin, whose control of the condition is good and apparently, it is "too costly" to allow us to make sure it stays that way.
We are being told that we don't need to monitor our own blood glucose and that going to the nurse every few months is enough.
We even have a quote from Sir Muir Gray, to the effect that if we want to measure something, why don't we lose weight and count more steps walking? How arrogant can you get?
We are convinced that 6 monthly HbA1c measurements are too infrequent and that they, in any case, don't give the right information. Since the average blood glucose over the previous 4 months is probably less significant in ensuring we avoid complications than the spikes of BG levels.
After I heard your interview on the breakfast programme on Radio 4, talking about patients having a say in their care plans and over how their “budget" is spent. I thought you would possibly be someone who would understand our problem.
You also commented that often patients with long term conditions know far more about them than their healthcare team. That is certainly true of us.
Incidentally, In the last year, I have lost 16 Kg and walk at least10,000 steps every day, wearing my pedometer. I also watch my diet carefully; following a low carbohydrate eating plan, because after 4 years of trying the plan recommended by Diabetes UK and the doctors, I realised it doesn’t work
I am trying to control my blood glucose with the minimum of medication. This means monitoring at least twice a day if I am to keep the control tight.
My PCT allows me 3 packs of fifty test strips per year and blames the limit on NICE. NICE in their turn say that’s not their policy.
I am in touch with a number of other people who face the same difficulties.
We’re being made to feel that our condition is in some way our own fault and that we must just take the consequences.
In that case, if diabetes is caused by being overweight, why are 75% of overweight and obese people not diabetic and why are any type 2 diabetics thin?
We need the support of someone knowledgeable and with standing in the medical community.
I am hoping that you are that someone
Yours faithfully
My Lord,
I am one of many type 2 diabetics, who feel VERY hard done by. The standard of our diabetes care is totally inadequate. Our PCTs have decided to deny us home blood glucose testing.
We are those, not using insulin, whose control of the condition is good and apparently, it is "too costly" to allow us to make sure it stays that way.
We are being told that we don't need to monitor our own blood glucose and that going to the nurse every few months is enough.
We even have a quote from Sir Muir Gray, to the effect that if we want to measure something, why don't we lose weight and count more steps walking? How arrogant can you get?
We are convinced that 6 monthly HbA1c measurements are too infrequent and that they, in any case, don't give the right information. Since the average blood glucose over the previous 4 months is probably less significant in ensuring we avoid complications than the spikes of BG levels.
After I heard your interview on the breakfast programme on Radio 4, talking about patients having a say in their care plans and over how their “budget" is spent. I thought you would possibly be someone who would understand our problem.
You also commented that often patients with long term conditions know far more about them than their healthcare team. That is certainly true of us.
Incidentally, In the last year, I have lost 16 Kg and walk at least10,000 steps every day, wearing my pedometer. I also watch my diet carefully; following a low carbohydrate eating plan, because after 4 years of trying the plan recommended by Diabetes UK and the doctors, I realised it doesn’t work
I am trying to control my blood glucose with the minimum of medication. This means monitoring at least twice a day if I am to keep the control tight.
My PCT allows me 3 packs of fifty test strips per year and blames the limit on NICE. NICE in their turn say that’s not their policy.
I am in touch with a number of other people who face the same difficulties.
We’re being made to feel that our condition is in some way our own fault and that we must just take the consequences.
In that case, if diabetes is caused by being overweight, why are 75% of overweight and obese people not diabetic and why are any type 2 diabetics thin?
We need the support of someone knowledgeable and with standing in the medical community.
I am hoping that you are that someone
Yours faithfully
