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testing strips review/change from my local surgery

I

idontbelieveit2

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Insulin
I have been diabetic for approx. 15yrs and on insulin for 5yrs, it has taken me those 5yrs to find a meter I am happy using Accu-Chek Mobile ideal for use in public and to use when on a long driving journey (as required by the DVLA).
I and all other diabetic's have just received a letter from our surgery to inform us that they will be changing all to a different meter and changing prescriptions for test strips and lancets.
There has been no discussion regarding the change just the letter to inform us and to attend a training session in the use of new meter.
The reason for the change has been given to save money and not because it might be better only that it will be cheaper.
I would like others opinion on this as I find it a bit thoughtless to expect everybody to use the same meter with no choice.
 
Hello and welcome :)
There has been a fair bit of discussion on here about this .
Basically, if you don't want the new meter, you don't have to have it ( as a Type 1) , in theory. BUT, and it's a big but, it depends on how flexible your particular practice is going to be. There are other meters and strips available, but what they are depends on your area. For example, in Northumberland it would be highly unlikely to continue to be prescribed strips for your meter, but if you wished, you could have strips for Contour, Bayer and a couple of others that I can't remember off the top of my head :rolleyes:

If your present meter was given you or prescribed by a hospital diabetes clinic, you have a better chance of retaining it if the clinic DSN or consultant will write to your GP . It's worth speaking to your GP in any case first, to discuss this and say why you would be unhappy about changing .

I have to say that it irks me that the meters chosen for issue were chosen without consultation or input from the end users , or trialled before the change .

Signy
 
It's money money money. You need to have a good and well prepared argument to get what you want. I have the mobile and strips prescribed. My good argument is nerve damage in my hands. Standard strips are a bit fiddly for me. Good luck with this, but I fear the worst for you.
 
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