Test when you feel ill - gp horror story

You could complain to your local PALS - Patients Advisory and Liaison Service.

Hi, that's dreadful, but becoming a familiar story. GPs should not be in charge of anybody's diabetes care. Your GP has made her decision with more consideration to the practice's budget than to your health-she is clearly being neglectful, and by not testing frequently, you will be putting yourself in danger. There are guidelines on testing for type-1s and 2s, perhaps she doesn't know the difference between the conditions! Had same prob with my previous GP. You need to get some info from your PCT, about their guidelines for testing, and check that your new GP is following them. I know it's an awful situation to be in, and I remember feeling really upset and intimidated by my last GP surgery, over this issue. You'll have to be really pushy, and gather as much info and take it to your doctor who clearly needs educating; for instance there's info to support that people on synthetic insulins lose hypo-awareness, also if you're a driver, you need to check before your journeys. There is much justification for frequent testing, but no justification for her restricting your strips-except financially :evil:
I must also point out that when II telephoned Diabetes UK for advice about this issue, they offered no help,despite it being an issue that affects many people. Still might be worth contacting them in case their position has changed.
Best of luck
Jus

That's disgusting. She should feel extremely bad about that and apologise to you.
My peadiatrition says that testing 5 times a day is only just enough, adding to the tests I need to do before I drive, exercise and when i'm high or low as well as when I have been drinking alchohol. That's a lot of test strips.
There's no excuse for that and you should perhaps write a formal complaint to the surgery stating that without these test strips, your standard and quality of living could be affected and that is surely more important than a budget.
Good luck : )

It doesn't surprise me because when I last saw my G.P. (who is new to the practice) she told me I shouldn't need to test as often as I do. As a Type 1, I too was astounded and reminded her of the importance of testing, expecially before driving etc. It is worrying that these people are supposed to be advising US and yet, we seem to be more clued up than them. :roll:

mikeyuk said:

I've read about people's past horror stories and thought i'd been lucky so far, right up until I moved house and had to switch GP.

Had my introductory appointment with my new GP, and when it came to setting up the prescription for test strips I noticed she'd only put 1 item on the repeat prescription. On saying that my old GP previously gave me four boxes at a time (200 strips) she asked me how often I tested then proceeded to tell me (a Type 1) that I only needed to test a few times a day and in fact could even test only when feeling ill.

My jaw proceeded to hit the floor at this point, couldn't believe I was wasting my time with someone who is supposed to be responsible for my health giving me such bad advice.

Now I've had time to reflect, I'm actually pretty angry. Could someone wiser than me advise if I have any recourse or somewhere I could complain to?

Click to expand...

Hi mikey.

This is the latest June 2009 NICE guidelines regarding a T1 and self monitoring of Bg levels.
Here is an extract:
Section. 1.8.2.6 Adults with type 1 diabetes should be advised that the optimal frequency of self monitoring will depend on:

• the characteristics of an individual’s blood glucose
control

• the insulin treatment regimen

• personal preference in using the results to achieve the
desired lifestyle.

If you are driver then you should also be prepared to test more frequently because of possible Hypo's. Perhaps the good Doctor want's to take responsibility if you have a crash ? :twisted:

Ken.

Just a wee point, be very careful when considering making a formal complaint against your GP. Did this once, and ended up with my whole family being removed from the practice list. They said it was because the doctor/patient relationship had broken down. The practice where aware when they did this,that both my eldest son and my father had been diagnosed with terminal cancer months previously :twisted: It caused my family a huge amount of stress and upset. I was reluctant to complain about the situation to the PCT in case it affected us getting a new GP; wish I had though. Thankfully my son had pioneering treatment which saved his life,my father died the following year. I am still very angry at how we were treated at such a difficult time.
Try and reason with your GP, if that fails, best to contact the PCT for advice before making a complaint.
Jus

janabelle said:

Just a wee point, be very careful when considering making a formal complaint against your GP. Did this once, and ended up with my whole family being removed from the practice list. They said it was because the doctor/patient relationship had broken down. The practice where aware when they did this,that both my eldest son and my father had been diagnosed with terminal cancer months previously :twisted: It caused my family a huge amount of stress and upset. I was reluctant to complain about the situation to the PCT in case it affected us getting a new GP; wish I had though. Thankfully my son had pioneering treatment which saved his life,my father died the following year. I am still very angry at how we were treated at such a difficult time.
Try and reason with your GP, if that fails, best to contact the PCT for advice before making a complaint.
Jus

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Hi Jus - What did it have to do with your son and father and the other members of your family?

Absolutely nothing, but the practice wrote a letter which stated that myself and my family would be removed from their list; that was myself,husband and kids. As a family we were under a huge strain at the time, and the letter was on the doormat the evening we arrived back from a respite break at Rainbow House.
I was having my blood test strip prescription cut, and I was advised by the practice manager to make a written complaint about that and another issue.
It's not unheard of for GPs to remove patients from their lists in this way, and get away with it. It's disgusting.
Jus

janabelle said:

Absolutely nothing, but the practice wrote a letter which stated that myself and my family would be removed from their list; that was myself,husband and kids. As a family we were under a huge strain at the time, and the letter was on the doormat the evening we arrived back from a respite break at Rainbow House.
I was having my blood test strip prescription cut, and I was advised by the practice manager to make a written complaint about that and another issue.
It's not unheard of for GPs to remove patients from their lists in this way, and get away with it. It's disgusting.
Jus

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I'm amazed. Did you talk to the Primary Care Trust or your MP?

Hi, I had a moan to the PCT anonymously, but as both practices are local, I thought if our new GP heard about the complaint, it could cause further probs for us; especially as my new GP surgery were also being difficult about test strip pressriptions. I was also told by the PCT that GPs could remove patients from their list, and did not need to give a reason.
I certainly had no wish to stay at that practice, after being treated in such an appalling way, but I wish I hadn't let them get away with removing us from their list and reported their actions formally to the PCT, even if nothing was done, I'd prob feel less bitter..
Jus

janabelle said:

Hi, I had a moan to the PCT anonymously, but as both practices are local, I thought if our new GP heard about the complaint, it could cause further probs for us; especially as my new GP surgery were also being difficult about test strip pressriptions. I was also told by the PCT that GPs could remove patients from their list, and did not need to give a reason.
I certainly had no wish to stay at that practice, after being treated in such an appalling way, but I wish I hadn't let them get away with removing us from their list and reported their actions formally to the PCT, even if nothing was done, I'd prob feel less bitter..
Jus

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Jus - Why not report it formally now? The way your family was treated was appalling!

At a recent Occupational Health visit with a Doctor I was asked how many times a day I test. I replied that I tested when I thought I needed testing, about two or three times a day. He then told me that my Company had a right to be concerned about anyone that tests more than once a day.

I was disgusted, and quite concerned about his report to my Company. As it happened it was never mentioned but.....

Does anyone have any official guidelines, Recommendations on tests per day ?
I can't find any on the net.

Ship

To chocalolic. We are clued in than most doctors. We deal wirh this 365/24/7 :!: My family doctor nor the endo has given me problems re this, then again I'm not living there either.

Hi, Firstly i would not take that from any GP. Dam fool, If you drive and she has restricted your test strips SHE should be held responsable for anyone getting hurt in an accedent, the DVLA state "YOU SHOULD MAKE SURE YOU ARE SAFE TO DRIVE WHEN YOU START AND EVERY TWO HOURS WHEN DRIVING"

E-mail your PCT and tell them, they know all the rules and have the power to tell this GP to do what she should.

My GP told me i could only test twice a week I contacted my local PCT and they went mad as i drive a 7.5 tonne van, they asked for the GP`s name and address so THEY could contact her and order her to prescribe more strips, I now test as and when I like. I even changed the meter from the old one I was given to an Accu-chek and my GP was told to suply what ever strips I ask for.

Another way is to talk to your local chemist and ask which GP gives test strips to who needs them, Then change your GP.
My chemist knows me very well and knows all about my condition and what i should have and will know which GP gives test strips and will be more intersted in your health than the GP you have now.

Graham1441 :twisted: :twisted:

Hey Ship,

a diabetic is someone whose life is ruled by that condition...
....on the other hand, a person who has diabetes deals with their diabetes just as they do with all of life's other problems....

(Sorry to be nitpicky/controversial but I take exception to being labelled "diabetic")

:wink:

Hi Bluenoseol.

I am a Diabetic. I have been for twelve years. I don't take exception to the word, as it just means someone who suffers from Diabetes ? Which quite plainly I do. It does not rule my life at all. It used to before I gained control of it.

Unfortunately it is commonly used here and in the Medical World, so I think you are going to have to get used to it.

Ken.

I think the treatment of diabetics (or people with diabetes) is terrible on the NHS. After I was told that I had high blood sugar, I was told that I wasn't eligible for any test strips which was a bit confusing. If my goal was to lower my blood glucose levels then how would I know that I had done it if I couldn't check my blood sugar levels?

I do feel for you as it seems to be increasingly common for GPs to not prescribe test strips.

Bluenosesol said:

Hey Ship,

a diabetic is someone whose life is ruled by that condition...
....on the other hand, a person who has diabetes deals with their diabetes just as they do with all of life's other problems....

(Sorry to be nitpicky/controversial but I take exception to being labelled "diabetic")

:wink:

Click to expand...

It's a point of view I guess. But it's a definition not a given. I am a diabetic not a diabetes, but I suffer from that condition. I don't attempt to hide the fact, I never shy away from an opinion on the subject, if I have something to say. I have even been known to speak publically on the subject using my own experiance as a model. Ruled by the condition? of course I am, I'm diabetic.
Label and be damned I say.

Ship

Ken and Ship,

Pick a label for me :-

Optimist
Father of Three
Husband
Birmingham City Fan
Warwickshire Cricket Fan
Ford Focus Driver
Asian Food Lover
Altruist
Aspiring amateur Gardener
DIY er
Grandfather
Diabetic

You know what?, NONE of them work

WHY - Because individually they only describe a part of me

I respect your views which are probably more important than my own.

This is a great forum

Steve