Dyadya_Maykl
Active Member
- Messages
- 28
- Location
- London, UK
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
- Dislikes
- Intolerance.
When I took my box of sharps back to my local GP surgery this last week I was told that they have stopped taking them. Apparently this operation is carried out by my local council. The receptionist informed me that councils now have the responsibility, not the GP.
The surgery duly issued me a form - you have to be a registered diabetic to use this service.
I received a letter back from the council trash office on Friday 16th Oct that they were sending someone to pick up my waste on 15th Oct. That was a good start, I thought!
However, I am concerned. Using the doctor's surgery gave me the flexibility to take the waste when I was able to do so. I do a lot of things during the week and cannot guarantee to be about for collection services. More concerning is that on looking at the sites regarding sharp disposal made me realize that a charge for collection may be levied. The service is run by Veolia - so who pays them? But it seems crazy. The GP surgeries are ideal drop off points, so would substantially reduce collection costs comparied to direct home collection. I smell a rat...the rat of collection levies.
So, does anyone know about what is going on?
In a similar vein, I am surprised and alarmed to see frequent comment on these pages about test strip and monitoring aid charges. My GP has always prescribed these facilities. I have never paid for any prescription substance since my diagnosis in 1971. I was led to understand these were all free for people suffering diabetes. However, my meters have usually been provided by the Hospital clinic. I suggested to the clinic that I may need a new clinic on a recent visit, and was told they will write to my GP to prescribe one, so it looks like expenses are being fed back to the GP. Having found a spare meter I have not gone to the GP to prescribe a new one, so I cannot comment on the service. However, I have always found that direct approach to the doctor is usually sufficient. I mean talking direct to one of the practice doctors seems to get what is needed. I never talk about adding or removal of items on prescription with any locum, and certainly not with the receptionists or practice admin staff.
The surgery duly issued me a form - you have to be a registered diabetic to use this service.
I received a letter back from the council trash office on Friday 16th Oct that they were sending someone to pick up my waste on 15th Oct. That was a good start, I thought!
However, I am concerned. Using the doctor's surgery gave me the flexibility to take the waste when I was able to do so. I do a lot of things during the week and cannot guarantee to be about for collection services. More concerning is that on looking at the sites regarding sharp disposal made me realize that a charge for collection may be levied. The service is run by Veolia - so who pays them? But it seems crazy. The GP surgeries are ideal drop off points, so would substantially reduce collection costs comparied to direct home collection. I smell a rat...the rat of collection levies.
So, does anyone know about what is going on?
In a similar vein, I am surprised and alarmed to see frequent comment on these pages about test strip and monitoring aid charges. My GP has always prescribed these facilities. I have never paid for any prescription substance since my diagnosis in 1971. I was led to understand these were all free for people suffering diabetes. However, my meters have usually been provided by the Hospital clinic. I suggested to the clinic that I may need a new clinic on a recent visit, and was told they will write to my GP to prescribe one, so it looks like expenses are being fed back to the GP. Having found a spare meter I have not gone to the GP to prescribe a new one, so I cannot comment on the service. However, I have always found that direct approach to the doctor is usually sufficient. I mean talking direct to one of the practice doctors seems to get what is needed. I never talk about adding or removal of items on prescription with any locum, and certainly not with the receptionists or practice admin staff.