Pump dilemma

Hi Guys.

Well to cut a long story short, I first went on the Accu-Chek combo in 2011. I love the pump and was told that in 4 years time I would get an upgrade to whatever new pump is on the market. That happens to be the new Accu-Chek Insight. They have been writing and emailing for a little while now saying that I am due an upgrade. So yesterday I made the phone call and the gentleman I spoke to at Roche said that my upgrade for a new pump was due "no later than june 2015". He went onto explain that's when my warranty runs out on the Spirit Combo pump and therefore if a serious problem developed after then that caused the pump to no longer work then they could not replace it with a brand new one as it would be out of warranty, hence ordering a new pump, and that being the new Insight pump. That all made sense to me so I contacted the Diabetes department where I am seen and the diabetic nurse that I spoke to told me that the policy on pump replacements had since changed and for a pump like the Spirit Combo it was now a case of letting it basically continue working until it no longer worked. My reaction was one of utter disbelief because it's essentially playing russian roulette with somebody's life and is a dangerous precedent to set. It appears that the CCG who make all of the purchasing decisions is behind this change in approach and both the gentleman at Roche and the diabetic nurse at Northampton I spoke to yesterday agreed that it was crazy to have this strategy in place. It appears that Northamptonshire is one of the few that have chosen to do it this way, whereas the rest of the country is on board for replacing pumps for the latest ones after that 4 year period. I am going to write to the CCG in Northamptonshire, because it greatly disturbs me that such a thing can be in place. I've had the scary scenario played out where my pump stopped working over 2 years ago, and it's very unsettling. To think that I could have a repeat process that is inflicted by a monetary decision is scandalous.

Can anyone offer me some further insight or advice please as to whether they have faced similar challenges.

Many Thanks

Unfortunately when my pump decided to break down completely it was the day I moved house so at the time locating insulin pen injections proved to be impossible. That then took me to Northampton hospital where they had no measures in place whatsoever to provide me with a new pen injection as the cupboard was locked lol.

I will be writing the CCG because the reality is I will be getting a new pump. It's just sheer lunacy that they would only deem this action to take place once my current pump packs in and like the guy at Roche said to me yesterday the whole process going back and forth until and order eventually comes over for new pumps from the hospital is long & drawn out. So really it is in their interests to avoid any situations where this could well happen.

For me, I just cannot get on with injection therapy. Background insulin through injections leads to my levels being absolutely all over the place because the insulin acts unpredictability whereas as we all know from being on the pump, once mastered, the control can be so tightly maintained through the exact does of insulin regardless.

Good points raised there Alan & yes a lot of my frustration is emotionally charged as a direct reaction but I will reign it in for my letter as one of my key decisions for moving over to the pump in the first place was based on the understanding that once a pumps 4 year warranty had expired it was then time for the newest that was available to them in the market at the time.

The very thought of entertaining injection therapy again leaves me cold because the evidence is there over many years that I do not get on with it. The pump changed everything for me.

I guess my first point of call is to write the letter & see what they come back with.

Thank you for your help & advice.

Much appreciated.