GLUCOMEN BLOOD GLUCOSE METER

June 15, 2015 18:08

Pat N DAFNE Graduate
South East Kent PCT 13 posts

Hello All,

Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

I have been using my Abbots Freestyle Optium glucose meter for many years, I have also a spare that gets used if i forget and leave the other at work.

Today i received a letter from my GP informing me that i will now have to upgrade to a Glucomen Areo (different make) as they will no longer prescribe other test strips. Sad

Has anyone else had this happen to them? what was the outcome or what do they think of the new meter.

Dose the Areo take keytone test strips? (will i now need to use to different meters.)

Maybe its just the NHS way of forcing the other meter company's to reduce the test strip prices.

I am not sure if this is just happening in the South East Kent PCT., We no longer have DAFNE here its the post code lottery.

I look forward to your comments.

June 18, 2015 18:50

marke Site Administrator
South East Kent PCT 675 posts

Hi, If you want to email me using the contact us at the bottom of the page or use the message inbox in the right-hand menu and let me know where in SE Kent you are. I live in SE Kent, I am also involved in Diabetes UK and attended the PCT ( as then was) and CCG ( as they are now) sessions on selecting meters. It was made crystal clear in these meetings that Type 1's could continue to use their current meters and would NOT be forced to change. This is not general policy in the area and my GP gave me an option to change but did not try to force me in any way. I have contacts in the structures of the local CCG's were I am, I would be happy to help in anyway I can to stop this happening, its NOT acceptable that anyone should be forced to change their meter, its short sighted and stupid and really annoys me Twisted Evil

June 20, 2015 08:07

Pat N DAFNE Graduate
South East Kent PCT 13 posts

Hello Marke,
Thank you for your reply. All now sorted.
I rang my Diabetes Specialist Nurse who advised that it was recommendation for type 2's only and i did not need to change. I contacted my GP practice and.It appears it was a bulk letter send to all Diabetics within my practice, not taken into account if that person was type 1,2 or if the meter was also used for Keytones etc. I can now keep my meter. (not sure how many others just changed though?) Laughing

June 20, 2015 16:43

Stew B DAFNE Graduate
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital 125 posts

Had similar experience with my CCG (North Norfolk). I picked up a repeat prescription one day and found a new meter in the package! Apparently the CCG was switching everyone to the new meter and its strips.. I contacted my local surgery and explained that I had a meter that I trust, and didn't wish to switch. To be fair, there was no argument, they simply put strips for my old meter back on my prescription.

Stew

June 15, 2015 18:08 Pat N DAFNE Graduate South East Kent PCT 13 posts	Hello All, Your advice would be greatly appreciated. I have been using my Abbots Freestyle Optium glucose meter for many years, I have also a spare that gets used if i forget and leave the other at work. Today i received a letter from my GP informing me that i will now have to upgrade to a Glucomen Areo (different make) as they will no longer prescribe other test strips. Has anyone else had this happen to them? what was the outcome or what do they think of the new meter. Dose the Areo take keytone test strips? (will i now need to use to different meters.) Maybe its just the NHS way of forcing the other meter company's to reduce the test strip prices. I am not sure if this is just happening in the South East Kent PCT., We no longer have DAFNE here its the post code lottery. I look forward to your comments.
June 18, 2015 18:50 marke Site Administrator South East Kent PCT 675 posts	Hi, If you want to email me using the contact us at the bottom of the page or use the message inbox in the right-hand menu and let me know where in SE Kent you are. I live in SE Kent, I am also involved in Diabetes UK and attended the PCT ( as then was) and CCG ( as they are now) sessions on selecting meters. It was made crystal clear in these meetings that Type 1's could continue to use their current meters and would NOT be forced to change. This is not general policy in the area and my GP gave me an option to change but did not try to force me in any way. I have contacts in the structures of the local CCG's were I am, I would be happy to help in anyway I can to stop this happening, its NOT acceptable that anyone should be forced to change their meter, its short sighted and stupid and really annoys me
June 20, 2015 08:07 Pat N DAFNE Graduate South East Kent PCT 13 posts	Hello Marke, Thank you for your reply. All now sorted. I rang my Diabetes Specialist Nurse who advised that it was recommendation for type 2's only and i did not need to change. I contacted my GP practice and.It appears it was a bulk letter send to all Diabetics within my practice, not taken into account if that person was type 1,2 or if the meter was also used for Keytones etc. I can now keep my meter. (not sure how many others just changed though?)
June 20, 2015 16:43 Stew B DAFNE Graduate Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital 125 posts	Had similar experience with my CCG (North Norfolk). I picked up a repeat prescription one day and found a new meter in the package! Apparently the CCG was switching everyone to the new meter and its strips.. I contacted my local surgery and explained that I had a meter that I trust, and didn't wish to switch. To be fair, there was no argument, they simply put strips for my old meter back on my prescription. Stew