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Start Date Frustration

dtennant9

Well-Known Member
Messages
715
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
I went through an insulin pump assessment in Jan/Feb this year and was approved in March.

Never heard anything until I got a letter this morning saying I had a Saline start on 13th November with an Insulin start on 17th November.

So frustrated that I've had to wait so long with no information and I am away on a family holiday w/c 10th November so will probably now need to wait until the next round of starts which could be another 3-6 months after that.

I know it's nobody's fault but just a little frustrating, it's the only week I couldn't have done.

I've left a message with my DSN to see what they say. I know some places don't do the saline start but my clinic seem really keen on you doing it.

Oh well, will just have to see what they come back with.
 
that is a pain...............I think there is a lot of organisation that goes on behind the scenes to get you and probably a few others on the saline and then live at the same time, makes it easier for training purposes..........

your nearly there though.............

its really up to the availability of the staff and their time, you may find you can be sorted out quite quickly after your holiday.......
 
Yeah I'm not in anyway blaming them and if I could cancel going away I would but it won't be possible.

Hopefully here back from the DSN this afternoon and see what they say.

If it had only been 28 hours later I could have made an early morning dash for home and got started.
 
It seems I might be able to do the Saline start from the Friday afternoon instead and do the Insulin start with the rest of the group on the Monday.

Unfortunately the DSN that mainly deals with the pumps is off until 1st Sept so I won't know until that week but at least all is not lost for starting in November.
 
Oh well, they finally got back to me today and said they don't have anyone available to do the saline start on the Friday so I can either cancel my holiday or wait until 2015.
Apparently they are setting the dates today.
 
dtennant9 said:
Oh well, they finally got back to me today and said they don't have anyone available to do the saline start on the Friday so I can either cancel my holiday or wait until 2015.
Apparently they are setting the dates today.
Click to expand...

That is awful I wonder if any of the Staff at the hospital would be prepared to give up their holiday.
 
Using a pump is not that hard in terms of navigation buttons. I was ok with mine using insulin and didnt trial saline at all. Carbsrok was the same and DD.
 
iHs said:
Using a pump is not that hard in terms of navigation buttons. I was ok with mine using insulin and didnt trial saline at all. Carbsrok was the same and DD.
Click to expand...
I'm in a similar postion to the OP, having rearranged/cancelled two work trips to get my dates of 7th adn 14th October, but in my case I need to go to Trinidad on the 19th Oct for a week.

I asked if I could start on insulin a week, or even a few days early in case of any teething troubles and was given a categoric NO, never been done at Addenbrookes and never will be. The only concession I got from them was to insist that I had the October start as far back as June, with a need to plan 6-9 months ahead I needed dates in the diary. The DSN i'm working with thinks I shoudl have a relatively easy transition though.

The NHS, whilst good in a crisis, is a minefield of pointless bureaucracy and inflexibility for routine care.
 
I can kind of see their point and appreciate no one is free.
To be fair to the DSN she was very much of the opinion that I should just wait until next year and go on holiday.
By then though it will be a year since I was approved. I am really appreciative though that they did approve me as I thought that might have been an issue.
 
Well holiday has been moved, cost a bit more and one less day but at least I'll get my pump this year.
So I've got my saline start on 13th Nov and insulin start on 17th Nov.
 
On my course we had one participant who did his saline start "remotely", abroad, with email support from the pump DSN. Could they do that? Give you the pump before you go away? Would you be back in time for the insulin start?
 
Oops, missed that you moved your hols.
 
Spiker said:
On my course we had one participant who did his saline start "remotely", abroad, with email support from the pump DSN. Could they do that? Give you the pump before you go away? Would you be back in time for the insulin start?
Click to expand...

I would have been back for the insulin start but they didn't seem keen on any of that.
At least it is all sorted now, just hope it is worth it.
 
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