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TEST STRIPS

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iHs said:
Unfortunately, the download of certain documents regarding blood glucose monitoring doesnt order a GP to prescribe teststrips. The documents only serve to remind GPs of the importance of monitoring and the possible consequences that could follow for many insulin dependant diabetics who dont test for whatever reason due to bg changing.

For pump users......it beggars belief that a CCG will pay about £3000 for a pump plus approx £1500 per year for the consumables only for its use to now be challenged by the GPs budget under the CCG, regarding restrictions on the prescribing of teststrips to ensure the pump can be used safely.

The health officials in government need to call up a meeting with the leading blood glucose meter providers asking them how they justify the cost of the teststrips? Be very interesting to see everything on the Parliament channel.. Where are you Dom Littlewood, Margaret Hodge??

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Oh I see! Margaret Hodge is mine I believe!
 
Emma_P23 said:
I had mine restricted to 100 a month. I'm on a pump too. It's a complete nightmare.
My specialist at the hospital has sent letter after letter to my gp but still they kick up a fuss about prescribing them. And ketone strips are impossible to get. It makes me so disheartened and puts me off even testing.
They aren't supposed to restrict type 1's but that message doesn't seem to get through to the gp surgeries!


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My nurse has finally spoken to my Doctor's and apparently they are now going to prescribe me two boxes in the future and that I should state on the prescription that I need two boxes even though I was already doing so! Grrr! shall just see what happens now
 
NicolaAnne1994 said:
My nurse has finally spoken to my Doctor's and apparently they are now going to prescribe me two boxes in the future and that I should state on the prescription that I need two boxes even though I was already doing so! Grrr! shall just see what happens now
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Still not enough, just means you'll be putting in a repeat prescription every fortnight instead of every week :rolleyes: Can't see the logic myself and 4 boxes should be prescribed at the very least.
 
noblehead said:
Still not enough, just means you'll be putting in a repeat prescription every fortnight instead of every week :rolleyes: Can't see the logic myself and 4 boxes should be prescribed at the very least.
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I know but I guess I can't complain too much! I did apply for the electronic prescription over a month ago and my application is still pending :facepalm:
My Diabetic nurse did prescribe me 4 boxes once, but I can't keep on going to see her! *sigh*
 
I'm in crawley, west Sussex and get 4 boxes of 50 strips roughly every month, with no problems, one box will last week or there abouts. I work nights so am testing during night as well as day, but think I over test sometimes.

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How many times does everyone test their blood sugars on a daily basis ?
 
Cloe-1992 said:
I'm doing 5 but I want to do more , but not sure about doctors as got told to only do 4 .
But reading this , might just do what I need to do . Thank you for replying .
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Yeah def do what you need to and ask for more strips if you need to. :) am always testing, I feel shaky a lot and test to find out its normally 5/6 waste of a test I know, but would rather be sure. :)

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mattmo86 said:
Yeah def do what you need to and ask for more strips if you need to. :) am always testing, I feel shaky a lot and test to find out its normally 5/6 waste of a test I know, but would rather be sure. :)

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Yeah I feel better to be safe than sorry , so will defiantly take your advice and test when I need to .
Thank you :)
 
I joined a surgery when I moved house a few years ago. Without even having a single conversation with the doctor, he reduced my test strips to 100 per month. I kicked up a massive fuss and changed surgeries. The others were great, gave me 200 per month...which still isn't enough, but I'm not going to push my luck!
 
SamJB said:
I joined a surgery when I moved house a few years ago. Without even having a single conversation with the doctor, he reduced my test strips to 100 per month. I kicked up a massive fuss and changed surgeries. The others were great, gave me 200 per month...which still isn't enough, but I'm not going to push my luck!
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Yeah I see what your saying , with me doing 5 a day 2 boxes are lasting me roughly 3 weeks . So 100 every 3 weeks . Sometimes I feel my doctors can be a bit funny . So if I do maybe 2 boxes every 2 weeks not sure how it would go down . All I can do is try and put in my prescription earlier than normal I guess .

Thank you :)
 
I test atleast 4 times a day but most of the time it's more than that! Unless the doctor's are being picky and won't give me anymore!
 
iHs said:
Unfortunately, the download of certain documents regarding blood glucose monitoring doesnt order a GP to prescribe teststrips. The documents only serve to remind GPs of the importance of monitoring and the possible consequences that could follow for many insulin dependant diabetics who dont test for whatever reason due to bg changing.

For pump users......it beggars belief that a CCG will pay about £3000 for a pump plus approx £1500 per year for the consumables only for its use to now be challenged by the GPs budget under the CCG, regarding restrictions on the prescribing of teststrips to ensure the pump can be used safely.

The health officials in government need to call up a meeting with the leading blood glucose meter providers asking them how they justify the cost of the teststrips? Be very interesting to see everything on the Parliament channel.. Where are you Dom Littlewood, Margaret Hodge??

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Click to expand...
 
iHs said:
Unfortunately, the download of certain documents regarding blood glucose monitoring doesnt order a GP to prescribe teststrips. The documents only serve to remind GPs of the importance of monitoring and the possible consequences that could follow for many insulin dependant diabetics who dont test for whatever reason due to bg changing.

For pump users......it beggars belief that a CCG will pay about £3000 for a pump plus approx £1500 per year for the consumables only for its use to now be challenged by the GPs budget under the CCG, regarding restrictions on the prescribing of teststrips to ensure the pump can be used safely.

The health officials in government need to call up a meeting with the leading blood glucose meter providers asking them how they justify the cost of the teststrips? Be very interesting to see everything on the Parliament channel.. Where are you Dom Littlewood, Margaret Hodge??

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
Click to expand...
 
I have read many posts on the problems of getting enough testing strips, I previously got 200 a month, now I get 100 (2x50) and as I am being careful with my food etc, I am testing 3 times a day and may be 4 times if I think I am not right. Why your doctors are not giving you enough strips is redicious as these tests give you vital warning of any problems, and with A pump you must be on edge trying to keep your level right. The practise manager will only agree with the doctors, so maybe you will need to take up the problem, with PCT(Primary Care Trust) for your area, and get their reasons for shortage of these vital strips, why doctors are being stingy is beyond belief, what do they want you to do, end up so out of control and not able to check, that you end up in the local hospital with a diabetic emergency, on a 999 call as d e's are a red call (Ithink they are), Would D.uk be able to give advice on the number of testings that are needed each day? Would your diabetic specialist have the authority to insist on more strips?
 
NicolaAnne1994 said:
I cant even get a sharps box on prescription!!!
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I suspect the NICE guidelines only require sharps boxes for those on injections and pumps not just BG testing.

The beancounters i.e., the CCGs seem to think that lancets are safe enough to dispose of in general waste but there are some lancets that are safe others are not, some have an end cap that is difficult to accidentally remove after use, others just have a small lump of plastic to push the used sharp into, the size and lack of complexity make the lancets cheaper to manufacture (less plastic and simpler injection moulds)

The only lancets that are absolutely safe to dispose of in general domestic waste are those in cartridge systems such as those that come with Roche or Mendor BG test kits
 
Davyb said:
I suspect the NICE guidelines only require sharps boxes for those on injections and pumps not just BG testing.

The beancounters i.e., the CCGs seem to think that lancets are safe enough to dispose of in general waste but there are some lancets that are safe others are not, some have an end cap that is difficult to accidentally remove after use, others just have a small lump of plastic to push the used sharp into, the size and lack of complexity make the lancets cheaper to manufacture (less plastic and simpler injection moulds)

The only lancets that are absolutely safe to dispose of in general domestic waste are those in cartridge systems such as those that come with Roche or Mendor BG test kits
Click to expand...
 
I never had a sharps box, until this year when I was given one, then another and another, (3), then I had to have them taken off my repeat script, I did not have the space to store them!. I use to have the Freestyle lite strips and lancets, the lancets could have their end covers put back on, and I did put them both into the domestic rubbish, but then there was the binman who if they found them, would have a fit and not take the rubbish., The sharps boxes that are given are 1 litre size and take some filling, my first one lasted from jan to june and then still under fill line, so the bean counters need to rethink their stupid decision. The binmen will not take the domestic rubbish if they spot the contaminated sharps and test strips with blood spots on them, then you will most likely have to remove them and get grief from the binmen and supervisiors.I had a quick look on the NICE website and under infection control (CG139) Guidence - containers 'should' rather than 'must'be given, GDG not covered by legidlation. Then there is something on infection prevention and control(QS61), and cost effective patient care. The nurse that looks after me, said that the binmen would go nuts if they found my used testing stuff in the bin, maybe your local council waste disposal for their advice. I think the plan should be keep nagging for the sharps containers and enough testing strips and lances.
 
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