New GP forced me to change my blood glucose

I've just had the same thing happen to me here in S Wales, I recieved a letter from my local doctors saying they were changing all diabetics over to The Wave Jazz meter, i've been happy for years with my aviva meter and found i could get extra strips from ebay very easily. Now i've been changed to a jazz meter i cant seem to find anyone on ebay selling strips the letter said the change was down to cost of strips being cheaper for the Jazz.

Pammi1 said:

I recently changed my dr due to relocating to middlesex. The diabetic nurse has changed my blood glucose meter as she said the strips are cheaper. Iv recently spent a lot of money on a meter that i like and find less stressfull and fidely to use and is a real comfort to me. But this new nurse has given me a small fidelly one that i really am uncomfortable with and hardly use because of this.

Is this legally allowed????

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If you can't use the meter due to problems with your fingers then tell the nurse and insist you have the strips to the meter you can use.

Where are you in Mx?

I'm in Norwood Green, Ealing & am prescibed 2 different types of my choice.

If you are near Hounslow, come to our support group meeting tomorrow.

Pammi1 said:

Hi thanks for ur reply. This is really affecting my control of my blood glucose sugar levels as i dread using this new meter and so hardly use it and dont know ehat my sugar levels are!!!

Do you know if all diabetics will be switched over to this?

And is this legal????

And who can we contact for help?? Is it PCT??

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just have a quiet reasoned word with the nurse or your GP about your problem. They can't help unless they know there is a problem can they?

Many PCT's are saying one meter type as we have bulk supply of test strips to save money. If the meter works and you can use it, I honestly can not see the problem with this idea. But if you do have a problem then go and discuss it with those concerned.

Yes it is legal!

The PCT has the right to procure individual contracts with suppliers of medical equipment, this enables the PCT to keep costs down.... Less staff training costs, less software to purchase as well as less cost in consumables at the patient end.

However, the PCT has to uphold an individual waiver system, that patients can use other available NHS equipment if they have good reason for doing so...

So in the case of the Glucose Meter, suitable reason would be,

Patient can't see the display clearly
Patient has hand mobility issues, mean handling of machine or actually test strips are unfairly difficult.

Or for patients such as myself

My insulin pump remote is also my blood glucose meter, but all my bolus/corrections wizards software is loaded onto the remote and not the pump itself. So to use a different blood glucose meter means I would lose a lot of my pumps functions, as there isn't a way of manually entering a BG reading into the bolus/correction wizards!

So if you've got a reasonable reason for swapping back to your old meter then your surgery is obliged to prescribe test strips for it...

If you haven't then it's a case of using what's being prescribed or buying your own

Coersion is no part of good patient care. If you get no help from your Gp surgery, contact your local PALS group through your local district hospital.
Hana

Pammi1 said:

Oh hi there, i am from ashford so its not far from hounslow at all. What days are the meetinhs held on and where? Thanks soo much this really sounds like much due help i need !
I may not be anle to attend this week but ishod be able to juggle things around next week and willdefinately attend.

Many kind thanks

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It's always the last Tuesday in the month Nov. 27th - a search for "Hounslow" on the forum will give you details & reports all the meeting for the last 2 years or so. You can recognise me from this: facebook link. There will not be a December meeting. Look forward to meeting you.

Pammi1 said:

Hi thanks for ur reply. This is really affecting my control of my blood glucose sugar levels as i dread using this new meter and so hardly use it and dont know ehat my sugar levels are!!!

Do you know if all diabetics will be switched over to this?

And is this legal????

And who can we contact for help?? Is it PCT??

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As for 'carbs rock' i think you need to experience guns blazing properly if you think thats what i was doing in my first question. You need to read carefully what i have written and pls dnt bother replying to me if you do not have any answets and only opinion thankyou

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My reply was based on protocal nothing else.
So please get your facts right before you start lamblasting people who are trying to help you. :thumbdown:

If you have a complaint regarding the surgery your first port of call is the person who caused the problem, then the practice manager. If not resolved then PALS.

As your nurse is not a mind reader she would not know you have the problem with your new meter would she? :roll:
So as I suggested in the first place go and have a chat with her first. I'm sure she will sort it out for you.
Why cause a load of grief and work for the practice when a simple phone call or meeting will sort things out?

Hello Pammi1.

If you 'have' already asked the nurse about the meter being unsuitable for you,
I can understand you asking for the next options available , open to you to possibly get
the meter changed .

You have a great invite above from IanD to the next meeting in hounslow and am
sure they will give you a warm welcome and face to face help also.
Local support groups are a fantastic help - plus you get to actually 'meet others' there .

If you cant see the display numbers well or the meter is too fiddly to use 'due'
to dexterity difficulties of the fingers , joints in your hands.
A lot of people can get a meter changed if this be the case :thumbup:
These are valid reasons to warrant a meter change from your nurse at your new
practice.

Hope this can help you .

Anna.

Pammi1 said:

Hi thanks for ur reply. This is really affecting my control of my blood glucose sugar levels as i dread using this new meter and so hardly use it and dont know ehat my sugar levels are!!!

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And how is that the NHS' fault?

Is there some physical reason why you cannot use this new meter? If so it's probably best discussing with your nurse/PCT rather than the internet.

And If there isn't some compelling reason...Wow, just wow. roblem: