• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

newly moved to UK. How do i get insulin?

C

cristina.chirita

Newbie
Messages
3
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello! I am about to move to UK in a few months and i am currently getting an insulin prescription from my regular doctor in my country every 3 months and i can procure the insulin free of charge. Does anyone know what is the procedure for a new inhabitant of the country in order to get the prescription, in UK? Is it free of charge like in my country? Also, i receive self monitoring test for my blood sugar level every 3 months. Is that the case in UK? Thank you.
 
cristina.chirita said:
Hello! I am about to move to UK in a few months and i am currently getting an insulin prescription from my regular doctor in my country every 3 months and i can procure the insulin free of charge. Does anyone know what is the procedure for a new inhabitant of the country in order to get the prescription, in UK? Is it free of charge like in my country? Also, i receive self monitoring test for my blood sugar level every 3 months. Is that the case in UK? Thank you.
Click to expand...
It all depends on where you are moving from. The rules are changed all the time so you need to check to see if you are entitled to free treatment from our NHS. The only way to get insulin though is through a GP prescription whether it's a private prescription or NHS.
 
Welcome Cristina :)
What @CarbsRok said, regarding the prescriptions, there is no real one size fits all answer to that question.

It's not usual for people to self test their HbA1c , ( I do, but I think that's a rarity ) but under the care of a GP or hospital clinic your bloods would be tested on a regular basis, not necessarily every three months, as it varies from area to area, clinic to clinic.

If you do get prescriptions for your insulin free, you will also get your needles, lancets and test strips for a monitor free too.

Check in advance what applies to you, and register with a General Practitioner as soon as you are able once you move here.

Good luck !:)

Signy
 
Heathenlass said:
It's not usual for people to self test their HbA1c , ( I do, but I think that's a rarity ) but under the care of a GP or hospital clinic your bloods would be tested on a regular basis, not necessarily every three months, as it varies from area to area, clinic to clinic.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure but think OP means she has 3 months worth of test strips in one go. Which obviously wont happen in the UK :)
 
Heathenlass said:
Welcome Cristina :)
What @CarbsRok said, regarding the prescriptions, there is no real one size fits all answer to that question.

It's not usual for people to self test their HbA1c , ( I do, but I think that's a rarity ) but under the care of a GP or hospital clinic your bloods would be tested on a regular basis, not necessarily every three months, as it varies from area to area, clinic to clinic.

If you do get prescriptions for your insulin free, you will also get your needles, lancets and test strips for a monitor free too.

Check in advance what applies to you, and register with a General Practitioner as soon as you are able once you move here.

Good luck !:)

Signy
Click to expand...
Hi! I wasn't referring to that analysis :), but the testing you can do at home. I receive 100 test strips for self monitoring every 3 months. I will check with my doctor to see if she knows something about this issue. Thank you very much for your answer!
 
CarbsRok said:
It all depends on where you are moving from. The rules are changed all the time so you need to check to see if you are entitled to free treatment from our NHS. The only way to get insulin though is through a GP prescription whether it's a private prescription or NHS.
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
CarbsRok said:
I'm not sure but think OP means she has 3 months worth of test strips in one go. Which obviously wont happen in the UK :)
Click to expand...

Ah right ! :D Yes, I misunderstood . Three months worth of strips ? Oh I so wish ! :D

Signy
 
cristina.chirita said:
Hi! I wasn't referring to that analysis :), but the testing you can do at home. I receive 100 test strips for self monitoring every 3 months. I will check with my doctor to see if she knows something about this issue. Thank you very much for your answer!
Click to expand...

Ah....in that case, 100 strips for three months isn't very many! :eek: I beg, grovel and plead for 200 a month :banghead:

Signy
 
I'm struggling to get 100 a month!

Managed it so far ;)
 
Back
Top