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Will we ever get monitoring on the NHS?

PenfoldAPD

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,643
Location
London
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
As a relative newbie I'm interested in Type 2s who have successfully got a monitor and strips on prescription - and have got enough strips to test regularly (7 a day or so?). Has it ever been available?

I'm self funding, and able to do it - but it's still money I'd rather be spending on something else. It has helped me enormously - but it makes me sad when people coming to the forum say they will have to look at the cost of testing and decide if they can afford it.

I've looked at Freestyle Libre but for me it's a step too far - nearly £30 a week?

Do you think things will change and we will get testing on the NHS? Should we push harder - surely strips would be cheaper than drugs?
 
Why don't you bite the bullet and try the Freestyle Libre? Yes, it is expensive, but you don't have to wear one all the time. I could afford it (just) but can't justify the cost to be honest, so I am a part time user. I have worn 2 sensors so far with another 2 in my cupboard. One of these will be coming out in 2 weeks when I go on holiday. It will be interesting to see what being away really does to my levels as I only test in the evenings and fasting when I'm away. The fourth one will be used towards the summer. They are very helpful. You can't rely on the readings being accurate - they aren't - but the excellent graphs show all the variances and all the waves, peaks, troughs, straight lines and so on. Very good for all the times you don't normally test and for finding where exactly you do peak after certain foods and normal daily activities.

As for the NHS prescribing meters and sufficient strips for type 2's, forget it. I do believe they used to at one time, but how many people would use them properly, if at all? We on this forum are a very small minority with good motivation (or we wouldn't be here posting). Most just shrug and carry on with their lives regardless.
 
@Bluetit1802 always appreciate you sharing your knowledge, and as I've already discovered I'm a bit naive thinking everyone takes their own health seriously
I am considering the Libre, I do feel I'm getting in control - apart from tonight when I really wanted an Indian! Testing is the key to management I know, streamlining it will make life easier
 
When i first hit the Big D i thought it unfair that i, a T2 didn't get a meter on prescription - and a free prescription at that.

Now i am a little more informed (financial status of NHS, hidden costs of health system, situation in other countries, yada, yada) my opinion has changed.

I still consider self testing to be an absolute priority for all diabetics, and would personally choose it as a priority over meals out, smoking, alcohol and even running a car.

But i think the NHS should be spending its pennies on life saving cancer treatments, emergency services and similar, while those who can, fund their own self testing.

I put my money where my mouth is, and self fund a Libre, part time.
 
I agree that those who can self fund, like me, should do so. But some people on low incomes cant self fund. I think there should be NHS support for them if they want to test.
 
serenity648 said:
I agree that those who can self fund, like me, should do so. But some people on low incomes cant self fund. I think there should be NHS support for them if they want to test.
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But then the NHS would have to means test people. If they started doing that where would it end? Might not just affect diabetics but anyone who doesn't have private health access and relies on the NHS.
 
Prem51 said:
But then the NHS would have to means test people. If they started doing that where would it end? Might not just affect diabetics but anyone who doesn't have private health access and relies on the NHS.
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the NHS already mean tests people when it comes to some things . Anyone on a low income and getting certain benefits gets free prescriptions. So I think that those who are entitled to free prescriptions due to low income should be offered meters and test strips.
 
I seems to be a lack of political will and GP opposition. There is also a funding crisis developing in the NHS and more moves to outsource services. The prospects are not good. All we can to is campaign for it.
 
Oddly enough I have a meter from the NHS and I am a T2. There was a time when I fell off the wagon just to see what would happen. I have experimented on myself a great deal and not always for the good. My Hba1c reached 68 and DN panicked and put me on Glimepiride. This requires a meter to check for hypo's.

I set to work testing with my prescribed strips and was told I was using too many of them. Yes, I had been given a meter and was asked not to use it??? I got back on the wagon and my next Hba1c was 42 and the strips were stopped. I now self fund strips and I still use the meter supplied.
 
dbr10 said:
I seems to be a lack of political will and GP opposition. There is also a funding crisis developing in the NHS and more moves to outsource services. The prospects are not good. All we can to is campaign for it.
Click to expand...
All of those things are related and in the end it's about money. That's always what it's about.

The lack of funding creates the political pushback which then creates the GP opposition.

While our healthcare system in the US is far from perfect, I will say that it's nice that our doctors don't have a conflict of insurance in saving money for our insurance companies. Instead, my doctors help me get things approved that my insurance would otherwise deny.
 
I'm fortunate that my GP does prescribe me 250 strips a month plus ketone stix, I'm a non compliant patient, Ive refuse to take my diabetes medication for almost 6 months since Oct-Nov.15 along with some other 16 medications for various conditions.

I have had a pretty tough year medically and was really suffering NHS burnout, I was regularly attending 4 hospital clinics and multiple GP visits, so much so I disengaged from my GP for a few months and went for diet and exercise, no medications except a biological rheumatoid arthritis drug.

I went back to my GP in Jan 16, they were happy with my BGL progress using exercise and LCHF and I have to say my GP is now very supportive as I await a surgery date, which should be the final stage of my bad year.

My previously diabetic specialist nurse use to prescribe me 200 test strips a month, as I was using sulphonylureas.
I check in with my GP about every 3-4 weeks they check my diet and hospital results etc and always writes me a prescription for strips.

My last checkup was yesterday, I told my GP if my next Hba1c that is due in 2 months goes up from the current 41 I will go back to the lower dosage of metformin with glimepiride as a backup for any BG readings of +10 or more, I've reached my goals in terms of weight loss and Hba1c results I need to change and increase various parts of my diet in order to maintain my fitness and exercise routines which means constantly testing for the effects on my BGLs.
 
I hadn't been to the doctors for 18 months and she collared me when I went for something else. My sugars were 10.8. Started me on xenatide (Byetta pen). Saw the nurse for this. Gave me a new metre and strips and put on repeat.
 
There are approximately 5 million diabetics in the UK. I self fund my strips and it costs me around £5 a week: if you assume it would cost the NHS 1/2 that (which is probably being overly optimistic), the total cost to fund strips for all 5 million people would be £650,000,000 a year which is a huge amount of noney the NHS simply doesn't have

I do agree that people on low income should be funded though
 
Prem51 said:
But then the NHS would have to means test people. If they started doing that where would it end? Might not just affect diabetics but anyone who doesn't have private health access and relies on the NHS.
Click to expand...

Hi Prem, I have NHS medical exemption certificate ( card) because of type 1 on insulin, also a NHS Tax credit exemption certificate (card) this one lasts for 6 months and is then automatically renewed unless the holder informs them otherwise, so both of these his could be regarded as means testing. The card could be shown and with the accompanying letters as proof.
 
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I only get 2 boxes of 50, so I have to keep going down to the surgery and getting repeats. Though, at Christmas I did get 4 boxes, my Christmas present
 
You can be prescribed a meter and strips on the NHS. Current NICE guidelines say:-

Do not routinely offer self‑monitoring of blood glucose levels for adults with type 2 diabetes unless:
  • the person is on insulin or

  • there is evidence of hypoglycaemic episodes or

  • the person is on oral medication that may increase their risk of hypoglycaemia while driving or operating machinery or

  • the person is pregnant, or is planning to become pregnant. For more information, see the NICE guideline on diabetes in pregnancy. [new 2015]
This suggests that all Type2s on insulin or hypoglycaemia-causing drugs (e.g. many sulphonylureas) or planning pregnancy/pregnant should be offered meter and strips. Also, the guidance says "do not offer routinely" it doesn't say "don't ever give".

The problem is that each GP needs to balance their books and previous evidence has suggested that, for most Type 2s, using a meter and strips does not improve HbA1c. However, as many people on this forum will attest, using meter and strips can be beneficial for Type 2s who are well-informed and well motivated. A GP might be persuaded to prescribe meter and strips if their patient can put a good case for it - evidence it can be helpful, a plan for reducing HbA1c and a well thought -out testing schedule. If a patient convinces the GP of their commitment and reminds them of how much money they will save in drug prescribing if they are successful, the GP is more likely to invest some of their precious budget.
 
I know that I could, if I pushed, get my GP to prescribe a meter and strips. But, as I can afford the £5 a week or less it costs me, it wouldnt be something i am comfortable doing. I think others need the NHS budget more than me.
 
Well I would kind of agree except that I keep hearing that Type 2 costs the NHS £10,000,000,000 a year with that cost expected to increase.. so that £650,000,000 looks like a real bargain..
 
I do think regular testing is worth it, and finding it hard to fund my test strips. I will now only be able to test 5 times aday instead of 8 times aday
 
I was given a monitor and strips on prescription, plus having diabetes gives me any prescription for free. However, it wasn't long before I began to feel a little uneasy about the NHS providing me with the strips with the squeeze on funding and so I asked for it to be removed and bought myself the sd codefree. I don't know how I would manage without it - it is relatively cheap - I don't need to test all the time now. I know not everyone can afford it even at such a low price so it's a shame the NHS can't provide something as cheap to those who can't fund it themselves. If by having a meter and using it properly the amount of medication may be able to be reduced and save money in that area.
 
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