Not a great surprise - but always worth a go 
I've been in touch with the local PCT looking for the policy for home based testing, the PCT was extremely helpful and made an enquiry to my local practice - the reply is detailed below
Metformin is a drug that never causes hypoglycaemia even in overdose as confirmed from the electronic medicines compendium (http://www.medicines.org.uk) I understand the patient does not take any other medication. Therefore, there is no reason for the patient to be given testing strips on prescription or for him to purchase them himself.
The practice advised the practice pharmacist that you are due a review in December, the practice have advised you have a blood test as soon as possible ready for your review at which they will be able to address your concerns.
I also have a copy of the prescribing guidelines
‘Home BM measurements
2.1 Who should test their own blood glucose at home?
Self blood glucose monitoring (SBGM) is only useful when a patient can use the results they measure, either to adjust treatment or as feedback of the results of changes made.
For example, SBGM should be available in the following situations:
(a) For people with type 1 diabetes;
(b) For people with type 2 diabetes using insulin;
(c) For people with type 2 diabetes not using insulin who
i. are having symptoms of hypoglycaemia;
ii. are making major lifestyle changes likely to impact upon glycaemic control;
iii. develop impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia;
iv. are at high risk of developing disabling hypoglycaemia and need to ensure safety during activities such as driving;
(d) For women who have diabetes in pregnancy or are trying for pregnancy;
(e) For people with diabetes when they have intercurrent illness such as when admitted into hospital (SBGM may be performed by health care professionals in this situation);
(f) For people in whom there is a concern about a possible diagnosis of T1DM at diagnosis, or in whom it is suspected insulin therapy may be required (e.g. steroid-induced diabetes); Glycaemic control should be measured by other means such as by HbA1c measurement every 3 months (2-6 months).
SBGM should not be routinely available in the following situation:
(a) people with type 2 diabetes who do not take insulin (adjustments of oral hypoglycaemic medication can be done based on HbA1c results).
I've been in touch with the local PCT looking for the policy for home based testing, the PCT was extremely helpful and made an enquiry to my local practice - the reply is detailed below
Metformin is a drug that never causes hypoglycaemia even in overdose as confirmed from the electronic medicines compendium (http://www.medicines.org.uk) I understand the patient does not take any other medication. Therefore, there is no reason for the patient to be given testing strips on prescription or for him to purchase them himself.
The practice advised the practice pharmacist that you are due a review in December, the practice have advised you have a blood test as soon as possible ready for your review at which they will be able to address your concerns.
I also have a copy of the prescribing guidelines
‘Home BM measurements
2.1 Who should test their own blood glucose at home?
Self blood glucose monitoring (SBGM) is only useful when a patient can use the results they measure, either to adjust treatment or as feedback of the results of changes made.
For example, SBGM should be available in the following situations:
(a) For people with type 1 diabetes;
(b) For people with type 2 diabetes using insulin;
(c) For people with type 2 diabetes not using insulin who
i. are having symptoms of hypoglycaemia;
ii. are making major lifestyle changes likely to impact upon glycaemic control;
iii. develop impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia;
iv. are at high risk of developing disabling hypoglycaemia and need to ensure safety during activities such as driving;
(d) For women who have diabetes in pregnancy or are trying for pregnancy;
(e) For people with diabetes when they have intercurrent illness such as when admitted into hospital (SBGM may be performed by health care professionals in this situation);
(f) For people in whom there is a concern about a possible diagnosis of T1DM at diagnosis, or in whom it is suspected insulin therapy may be required (e.g. steroid-induced diabetes); Glycaemic control should be measured by other means such as by HbA1c measurement every 3 months (2-6 months).
SBGM should not be routinely available in the following situation:
(a) people with type 2 diabetes who do not take insulin (adjustments of oral hypoglycaemic medication can be done based on HbA1c results).
