Testing strips availability

My Freestyle Lite meter failed last week and a phone call to Abbott, the makers, resulted in a new Optium Neo meter arriving yesterday. Abbott were brilliant and I am very grateful BUT, my GP surgery (also brilliant BTW) will not supply the corresponding test strips, stating that they are 'non-formulary in our local area so should not be prescribed'.

They asked me instead to ring the Finestyle helpline as this company makes the 'recommmended blood glucose meter'. They were helpful too. Has anyone else encountered this problem? The Optium Neo works well, is easy to read and use. Having looked up their recommended one it does not have all the features as the Optium and is smaller. I suppose I could just fork out for the test strips, but as I am on a pension I don't see why I should have to. Whatever happened to patient choice?

Thank you Pipp. Appreciated. The 'approved' meter Fine Test Lite was delivered yesterday and IMHO is an inferior, flimsy product to the one Abbott kindly supplied free of charge.

I note that there was a list of test strips likely to be withdrawn from being able to be prescribed back in 2019, which has sadly come to pass.. My point is this: I am a pensioner and I have paid in for NHS services during my working life. Why should we be given inferior equipment just on the basis of cost to the NHS?

The instructions for the finger pricker were in such small type anyone with normal eyesight could not read it. I certainly couldn't and the device itself needs to be removed from its pouch every time you use it. This will not last long. If the intention of using BG monitors is to encourage patient compliance then this is an utter failure. The Abbott device is far superior. I note the difference in cost of the test strips and I take that on board BUT, if patients do not test, due to inferior equipment. then they will end up costing the NHS more for their treatment, potentially falling prey to the many side effects caused by this blinkered approach to diabetes care.

Time for another campaign on this I think, especially as access to free contraception is being extended (BBC News today). Considering Diabetes affects more than 5 million people in the UK I feel only lip service is being paid to properly funding services to people with diabetes. Will Diabetes UK lobby the new Health Minister on our behalf, please?

I would like to write to my MP on this and also whoever it is selects what testing strips we are 'allowed' on prescription please. Your comments would be welcomed. Thank you Pipp.

Thanks Lesley. That is very useful to know. I'm on Gliclazide 80mg daily with Jardiance 25mg. I used to have Metformin but after several years' usage I developed acute 'trots' and feared leaving the house! Must admit to being bad about testing in the past as I was told a couple of years ago that I didn't need to (!). But I want to tame the tiger that is diabetes and test more often. Reluctant to pay for test strips as I'm now on a pension, but the Freestyle Optium is a far more robust and easy to use meter than the FineTest one. Am trying to find how to contact our local Imntegrated Care Board (replaced Clinical Care Group) then on to our MP. I know it's all about money, but we deserve better (funded) choice.