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NHS and glucose meters

C

criscing

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Hi!
I am researching type 1 diabetes devices for a university project and I was wondering how the NHS provides monitors to patients in the UK. I was led to believe that there are many options available through the NHS, however it seems this is not the case for everyone. I spoke with a couple friends with T1 and they told me the last time they upgraded theirs they were offered only two. What's the standard procedure? I know CGMs are self funded but I've seen better monitors than those my friends use and I thought you could get any monitor for free?
Thanks for your help
 
criscing said:
Hi!
I am researching type 1 diabetes devices for a university project and I was wondering how the NHS provides monitors to patients in the UK. I was led to believe that there are many options available through the NHS, however it seems this is not the case for everyone. I spoke with a couple friends with T1 and they told me the last time they upgraded theirs they were offered only two. What's the standard procedure? I know CGMs are self funded but I've seen better monitors than those my friends use and I thought you could get any monitor for free?
Thanks for your help
Click to expand...

You can get any monitor for free. You don't necessarily get them via the NHS though. If you tell the manufacturer you have type 1 diabetes, they will just give it to you. The next stage is getting the strips for the monitor on your prescription. That can be more tricky, but again, for type 1 diabetics there are certain standards the monitors should meet so if the GP (who does the prescriptions) isn't willing to upgrade the strips support should be available from the diabetic team. The monitors are given out for free by the manufacturers in the hope that you/the NHS will buy the strips on an ongoing basis - the strips are where the money is made.
 
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