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Pumps - understanding the funding process

J

Jemzor

Well-Known Member
Messages
71
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I have been given the go-ahead for an insulin pump and a list of pumps the clinic is able to provide. However, the omnipod is not one of these (I am told due to cost) and I just wanted to understand my options in a bit more detail.

How does the NHS funding work and is it possible to self-fund the shortfall in cost if I wanted a specific pump? Is it down to the hospital (and therefore I would have to put a case forward) or am I barking up the wrong tree because it is not a workable funding route?

I will consider the level of support I can get from the hospital for whichever pump I choose to go with but for now, I just wanted to understand my options.

Thanks :)
 
Can only give you what I've heard but not first hand experience, I'd heard that if you decide to self fund then all of it needs to be funded rather than part of the supply. Try checking with the people at Input they are very good at this thing. http://www.inputdiabetes.org.uk/
 
Hi

Chas is correct unfortunately... @Omnipod d knows a bit more as hsd to create a case for funding to be approved for the Omnipod.
 
my clinic only seemed to do Roche but mainly minimed pumps.........this may be down to cost but i believe its down to the training the team have had with these devices......

cost will be an factor of course, these costs will need to be pre planned and a budget put in place for x amount of pumps and consumables a year for example, so there might not be extra funds there to purchase the pump and the extra cost of the consumables.......

if this is your first pump though, you shouldn't really have any reason to go tubeless yet...............its a luxury at this stage you see....;)
 
Chas C said:
Can only give you what I've heard but not first hand experience, I'd heard that if you decide to self fund then all of it needs to be funded rather than part of the supply. Try checking with the people at Input they are very good at this thing. http://www.inputdiabetes.org.uk/
Click to expand...
When I first started to pump I was fully self funded then started a battle to consumables funded. After the warranty of my pump ran out a new pump was provided on the NHS.
You do need a letter though from either your GP or your consultant as pumps are prescription items only.
Having a tubed pump is no big deal though, in all honesty you don't notice the pump after a couple of days at the most.
 
novorapidboi26 said:
if this is your first pump though, you shouldn't really have any reason to go tubeless yet...............its a luxury at this stage you see....;)
Click to expand...

It certainly will be! I'm grateful for the fact that they've offered me choices.

I will get in touch with Input - I've heard a lot of good things about them.

Thanks :)
 
vic hill said:
so the option s are this 20 years ago no pumps
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Pumps have been used in the UK since the 1970's :) It was just kept very quiet due to costs and size of them. I think the first pump was the size of a knapsack sprayer :eek:
 
Hi Jemzor,

I started on a pump 1999 it was a Disetronic pump I was fully funded to start with then the funding got cut so I was fortunate that my parents and a very good friend who made a considerable donation helped me to self fund then when I moved in 2004 I moved house but not health authority hospitals, as soon as I changed hospital the wheels just clicked I was fully funded no questions asked they just took over the situation and a choice of pump manufacturers. The diabetes centre has just been so good to me and I am pleased as punch :-)
 
This is very similar to what happened to me this week @masonbason63. I changed house 5 years ago but stayed with the same hospital. They confirmed they would put me on a pump at the end of last year but that only Meditronic was an option. Having had my first appointment with my local hospital this week, they agreed to apply for funding for a pump and offered me a choice of 4 pumps. So it only took a 30min appointment but obvsiouly a well worded referral letter from the GP which would have contained extensive history.
 
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