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

Prescriptions

MickyFinn

MickyFinn

Well-Known Member
Messages
158
Type of diabetes
Type 1
I don't if anyone else has encountered this, I wouldn't know what the norm is as far as prescriptions go, but my GP surgery insists on putting a date release on everything including the fine point needles and the testing strips. They only allow me 100 needles per 30 day period, and as I tend to have to inject insulin 4 to 5 times a day, that is not enough, so I invariably have to try and get them to release more on prescription. On repeat, it takes them about five days to sort out any prescription, and generally, all they gave done is mess me around ever since I was diagnosed last year in November. I wonder if this should be the case for any diabetic, let alone a type 1 diabetic who relies on insulin. The diabetes nurses always say I can have as much needles, test strips etc as I need, but then the prescriptions clerk refuses to take the date release off the prescription. It feels like they are trying to be awkward.
 
Hi @MickyFinn ,

Some people do have to fight with their GP's surgery. I had a problem with test strips for while and was buying extra ones for myself from e-bay because it was easier than trying to get more out of the surgery.

Now things have gone completely in the opposite direction!! I get 200 strips each time and the last time they also increased my insulin pens from 5 to 15. They will last me about 4 months and I dont have space in the flamin fridge for them anyway.

All you can do is keep asking, they'll eventually get tired and sort it out. If you have electronic access for ordering repeats it might make your life easier.
 
I've never personally had a problem with my GP and under subscribing me for anything diabetes related.
What I used to do though was write, on the repeat prescription part that the chemist gives you back, a note detailing your need for 4-5 boxes of pens, insulin vials or test strips.
I got everything I wanted, if the Doc doesn't up your repeat amounts, send him a 'signed for' letter that he can't say he never got and make a photocopy, might be a tad extreme but it keeps the ball in your court
 
Thanks, I will have a look at that link. I am now having regular appointments with the diabetes nurses at the GP surgery, and I will tell them about this again, I had done previously, and they will always ok more test strips or needles, because as they say, I need them.

The issue seems to be mainly the admin staff, the receptionists and the prescriptions clerks who all take umbrage with everything. When I was first diagnosed and given a letter by the DN at the hospital addressed to my GP, the receptionist opened it and tried to reject it telling me there was nothing about a prescription. Firstly it was not her place to open the letter, and secondly when I told the DN at the hospital about it, she phoned up and was told the letter had been rejected because it was handwritten!

I will push to have the date release removed though, I ski have Crohn's and a GP once put a date release on a prescription for that. The pharmacist told me then, that was what they normally did with drug addicts, and that they should never have placed that restriction on my medications.
 
@urbanracer, I have had to buy extra sharps bins, and it's getting to the point I might have to start buying the fine points as well. I am finding that the diabetes nurses say one hing, and then the prescriptions clerk contradicts that and keeps the restrictions in place. It's not consistent so far. I am going to ask for the prescription to be upped to 200 per month, as I cannot run out, and will hopefully always have a surplus.

@GordonMcLean, sometimes we may need to be blunt to get the correct things in place. And at least some of you are not having to fight constantly just to get needles etc.
 
mahola said:
I only managed to get our prescriptions sorted by standing at the reception desk in the surgery for over an hour and refusing to move until both prescriptions were as I wanted them :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Why am I not surprised at that?! When I handed that letter in from the hospital DN, I had to point out to the receptionist five times that the appointment listed on the letter, was the one I had just come from, and she told me I would have to wait six months before I could have an appointment for a DN at the surgery!

I did cut through that, made an appointment for a GP, who was shocked at the way it had been handled so far. He spoke to the head DN and she fast tracked me.
 
I had the same sort of issue but sat down and did all the working out (allowing a 10% failure rate too) and took that to my Dr.

After discussing it with him he pretty much doubled most things up for me since he agreed that their numbers didn't add up and mine did.

Might work for you.

A
 
@AndyS, I might have to try that too, along with all the other suggestions. I had spoken to a GP about it before, it seems he increased the quantity of testing strips, but not the fine point needles, so now I have to have yet another go!
 
MickyFinn said:
The diabetes nurses always say I can have as much needles, test strips etc as I need, but then the prescriptions clerk refuses to take the date release off the prescription. It feels like they are trying to be awkward.
Click to expand...
You need to either visit him/her or write a letter to your GP, either deliver by hand or recorded mail. Explain to him her what is going on and the stress it is causing you. Also point out the dangers of no insulin as no needles and also the dangers of over dose if you can not adjust your insulin in relation to your blood sugars. If you drive explain the legalities of needing to test.
 
I already did speak to a GP before Christmas about it, and he said it wasn't good enough for them to be doing this. I am going to do so again obviously.

I have pointed out time and again the seriousness of the situation, the DN sister made excuses for them when they held back a prescription for needles and test strips while simultaneously saying I can have as many of them as I need! They shouldn't need excuses made for them, should they?

Sent from my MotoG3 using DCUK Forum mobile app
 
MickyFinn said:
I already did speak to a GP before Christmas about it, and he said it wasn't good enough for them to be doing this. I am going to do so again obviously.
Click to expand...

Then you need to put it in writing to both your GP and practice manager. After all it's your life not theirs.
 
MickyFinn said:
They're leaving little option but to put it in writing.
Click to expand...

Contact your hospital diabetes clinic again and ask if your Consultant can forward a email/letter to your gp surgery advising against these restrictions, I did this a few years back after my own Dr suggested that I was testing too much (he said that 4 bg tests a day was ample enough), after my Endo's letter no more was said.
 
4 BG tests per day is only enough under circumstances. Driving, or training at the gym require extra tests, and it's the same for a hypo.

I honestly think it's about cutting back and trying it on when restrictions are placed on it.
 
I was given some needles by my pharmacy until I can get my repeat sorted, been well over a week, and the GP surgery still haven't sent it back to the pharmacy! I offered to pay, but they lady in charge of it, refused to let me saying they wouldn't see me run out. She even admitted that NICE guidelines and government restrictions have set the amount of needles to be prescribed at what amount to three injections per day, and that she sees this happen an awful lot, also with testing strips not just needles.
 
Back
Top