NHS Medication Changes: Are you affected?

August 03, 2012 10:13

JayBee DAFNE Graduate
James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 587 posts

my DAFNE nurse said:
Some surgeries are changing patients to these meters as the strips are cheaper than most others on the market but are just as reliable/easy to use.

I was randomly issued one of these iCare Advanced machines yesterday after calling up for an emergency prescription.. I'm currently using a One Touch Ultra which I find very helpful because I'm able to look at my BG results on the computer. I'm a bit unsure what to make of this iCare machine... they're not forcing me to use it yet but I'll have to keep it in mind I suppose if what my DAFNE nurse said is true.

Have any of you been issued this iCare Advanced machine by your GP surgery?
If you're already using it, how have you got on with it?

Thanks for any replies. Smile

August 07, 2012 13:59

JayBee DAFNE Graduate
James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 587 posts

Okay it's official now. I've been shoved on to using the iCare machine - my test strips have been changed, lol.

Has anyone else been forced to use this machine as well? Smile

August 07, 2012 15:11

Phil Maskell DAFNE Graduate
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust 194 posts

Hi,

Not heard or seen it before, I hope they don't force me to change, I like the AccuChek Mobile as there are no strips, just a single cassette with a long test strip inside that winds on, means you don't have to faff with strips...

I cam now setup and check my blood one handed while on the computer at work Very Happy

Phil

August 07, 2012 15:27

JayBee DAFNE Graduate
James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 587 posts

One handed? Cool! Very Happy I hope they don't change it for you.
I'm a bit disappointed with the change, but I do understand why they've done it... Sad this machine doesn't have the same facilities as my One Touch Ultra.

August 07, 2012 21:03

novorapidboi26 DAFNE Graduate
NHS Lanarkshire 1,819 posts

I use the insulinX, so dose calculations etc...........

I wouldn't like it if they took this from me, in fact I could probably put up a good argument............

it just shows you how much the 'postcode lottery' exists......

August 09, 2012 12:47

marke Site Administrator
South East Kent PCT 681 posts

This sounds like a major step backwards to me. Yes the test strips do seem to be a lot cheaper, but why ? Being naturally suspicious I would question the motivation both of you doctors and the company that makes the meters/strips in singapore. What happened to freedom of choice in the NHS ? So will they put in place the infrastructure to support this equipment, rather than the current very basic website with no support and only one phone number for the UK. What happens if you lose or have problems with the meter ? Do all the chemists in your area stock these test strips and can they get supplies easily. You would hope that the PCT/consortium would have put all that in place before forcing you to use the meter, but have they ?

I will put up a real battle if they try to change my meter, especially as my GP does not and is not going to be reponsible for my Diabetes treatment.

August 17, 2012 14:22

JayBee DAFNE Graduate
James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 587 posts

Thanks for your replies. Smile

I think you have a very good point marke. I only just started using the machine this week and it's been so far so good (with prescription and machine use). I'm so glad it came with a testing solution - I had a hypo the other night where I did not seem to have any symptoms at all. Sad I must of tested it about 5 times to make sure while putting wine gums in my mouth... &gt;_&gt;;;; It seemed to be telling the truth...

marke said:
Yes the test strips do seem to be a lot cheaper, but why ? Being naturally suspicious I would question the motivation both of you doctors and the company that makes the meters/strips in singapore. What happened to freedom of choice in the NHS ?

Sadly, what my DAFNE nurse said is how it is - &quot;Some surgeries are changing patients to these meters as the strips are cheaper than most others on the market but are just as reliable/easy to use&quot;. One of the diabetic nurses at my GP also confirmed this. It does seem to be something they're just moving people on to. Personally, I guess I'm okay as long as I can still get stocked. So far I have done so I'm not overly alarmed yet. I just need to use it for testing.

On that note, even my pharmacy (they're in the same building as the GP surgery) commented about my prescription being another one asking for iCare strips... and that it seems to be a good machine... obviously they weren't made aware either but they had the strips in stock. :/

marke said:
So will they put in place the infrastructure to support this equipment, rather than the current very basic website with no support and only one phone number for the UK. What happens if you lose or have problems with the meter ?

I'm not sure what to say on this one. I've never ever had to call for a replacement machine - not that I think it won't ever happen. If it did, I'd be more inclined to speak to my diabetes teams than the company itself in case they had one spare handy.

marke said:
Do all the chemists in your area stock these test strips and can they get supplies easily. You would hope that the PCT/consortium would have put all that in place before forcing you to use the meter, but have they ?

How do we find out about the PCT/consortium? Is that public information? I hope so - makes sense to be considering it's primarily a public company...

Edit: I signed up to their forum today - http://icareadvanced.com/forum. It seems to be quite a broken website. A thread I posted did not appear and I was told that I did not have permission to access "this page". I have PM'd the admin... let's see if they do anything...

Edit: It looks like it's fixed!

August 20, 2012 16:16

JayBee DAFNE Graduate
James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 587 posts

I got a letter today from my GP! Exciting stuff lol! Very Happy

NHS said:
The doctors are currently reviewing all repeat medications. The aim of this is to ensure that all medications prescribed are both cost effective and appropriate in line with up to date evidence based medicine and economic policy.

It has been decided to change your novofine needles, as current guidelines have shown that the new needles are equally or more effective when used as directed. Your new prescription will be for:

Omnican fine needles which are a universal fit.

If you have any concerns regarding this change please feel free to contact the surgery and make an appointment with the doctor who they will be happy to discuss the changes with you.

Interesting how they send me a letter about this but not the other change (the blood testing machine and strips). :/

There was also a leaflet enclosed called "Medication Changes: A Guide for Patients". I've just tried to find it online. The one I have is from HealthEast which seems to specify to my area so I suspect that if they're going to make changes, your "healtheast" equivalent will speak up for their own area (may explain why it does not seem to be online)... maybe.

If we want me to type it's details in, just say and I'll do it next post. Smile

The reasons are along the lines of:
~new safety concerns
~new evidence about the benefits of a drug
~new treatment guidelines

I assume the changes I've had come under the new treatment guidelines...

May 23, 2013 10:20

JayBee DAFNE Graduate
James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 587 posts

Thought I'd just update on my new machine. It stopped working properly yesterday and I've been issued a new one with minimum hassle today.

I'm a bit appalled though - none of my old machines have ever packed up within a year of use like this iCare Advanced machine. :/

May 23, 2013 21:24

Angela C DAFNE Graduate
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals 1 post

Hi i was stripped of my one touch meter about 2 years ago and given a care sens one , ive since been on the dafne course and now been changed to the freestyle optium , as they said the care sens is only suitable for type 2 diabetics. Not sure my local surgery is going to like this but we shall see.

August 03, 2012 10:13 JayBee DAFNE Graduate James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 587 posts	my DAFNE nurse said: Some surgeries are changing patients to these meters as the strips are cheaper than most others on the market but are just as reliable/easy to use. I was randomly issued one of these iCare Advanced machines yesterday after calling up for an emergency prescription.. I'm currently using a One Touch Ultra which I find very helpful because I'm able to look at my BG results on the computer. I'm a bit unsure what to make of this iCare machine... they're not forcing me to use it yet but I'll have to keep it in mind I suppose if what my DAFNE nurse said is true. Have any of you been issued this iCare Advanced machine by your GP surgery? If you're already using it, how have you got on with it? Thanks for any replies.
August 07, 2012 13:59 JayBee DAFNE Graduate James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 587 posts	Okay it's official now. I've been shoved on to using the iCare machine - my test strips have been changed, lol. Has anyone else been forced to use this machine as well?
August 07, 2012 15:11 Phil Maskell DAFNE Graduate Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust 194 posts	Hi, Not heard or seen it before, I hope they don't force me to change, I like the AccuChek Mobile as there are no strips, just a single cassette with a long test strip inside that winds on, means you don't have to faff with strips... I cam now setup and check my blood one handed while on the computer at work Phil
August 07, 2012 15:27 JayBee DAFNE Graduate James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 587 posts	One handed? Cool! I hope they don't change it for you. I'm a bit disappointed with the change, but I do understand why they've done it... this machine doesn't have the same facilities as my One Touch Ultra.
August 07, 2012 21:03 novorapidboi26 DAFNE Graduate NHS Lanarkshire 1,819 posts	I use the insulinX, so dose calculations etc........... I wouldn't like it if they took this from me, in fact I could probably put up a good argument............ it just shows you how much the 'postcode lottery' exists......
August 09, 2012 12:47 marke Site Administrator South East Kent PCT 681 posts	This sounds like a major step backwards to me. Yes the test strips do seem to be a lot cheaper, but why ? Being naturally suspicious I would question the motivation both of you doctors and the company that makes the meters/strips in singapore. What happened to freedom of choice in the NHS ? So will they put in place the infrastructure to support this equipment, rather than the current very basic website with no support and only one phone number for the UK. What happens if you lose or have problems with the meter ? Do all the chemists in your area stock these test strips and can they get supplies easily. You would hope that the PCT/consortium would have put all that in place before forcing you to use the meter, but have they ? I will put up a real battle if they try to change my meter, especially as my GP does not and is not going to be reponsible for my Diabetes treatment.
August 17, 2012 14:22 JayBee DAFNE Graduate James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 587 posts	Thanks for your replies. I think you have a very good point marke. I only just started using the machine this week and it's been so far so good (with prescription and machine use). I'm so glad it came with a testing solution - I had a hypo the other night where I did not seem to have any symptoms at all. I must of tested it about 5 times to make sure while putting wine gums in my mouth... &gt;_&gt;;;; It seemed to be telling the truth... marke said: Yes the test strips do seem to be a lot cheaper, but why ? Being naturally suspicious I would question the motivation both of you doctors and the company that makes the meters/strips in singapore. What happened to freedom of choice in the NHS ? Sadly, what my DAFNE nurse said is how it is - &quot;Some surgeries are changing patients to these meters as the strips are cheaper than most others on the market but are just as reliable/easy to use&quot;. One of the diabetic nurses at my GP also confirmed this. It does seem to be something they're just moving people on to. Personally, I guess I'm okay as long as I can still get stocked. So far I have done so I'm not overly alarmed yet. I just need to use it for testing. On that note, even my pharmacy (they're in the same building as the GP surgery) commented about my prescription being another one asking for iCare strips... and that it seems to be a good machine... obviously they weren't made aware either but they had the strips in stock. :/ marke said: So will they put in place the infrastructure to support this equipment, rather than the current very basic website with no support and only one phone number for the UK. What happens if you lose or have problems with the meter ? I'm not sure what to say on this one. I've never ever had to call for a replacement machine - not that I think it won't ever happen. If it did, I'd be more inclined to speak to my diabetes teams than the company itself in case they had one spare handy. marke said: Do all the chemists in your area stock these test strips and can they get supplies easily. You would hope that the PCT/consortium would have put all that in place before forcing you to use the meter, but have they ? How do we find out about the PCT/consortium? Is that public information? I hope so - makes sense to be considering it's primarily a public company... Edit: I signed up to their forum today - http://icareadvanced.com/forum. It seems to be quite a broken website. A thread I posted did not appear and I was told that I did not have permission to access "this page". I have PM'd the admin... let's see if they do anything... Edit: It looks like it's fixed!
August 20, 2012 16:16 JayBee DAFNE Graduate James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 587 posts	I got a letter today from my GP! Exciting stuff lol! NHS said: The doctors are currently reviewing all repeat medications. The aim of this is to ensure that all medications prescribed are both cost effective and appropriate in line with up to date evidence based medicine and economic policy. It has been decided to change your novofine needles, as current guidelines have shown that the new needles are equally or more effective when used as directed. Your new prescription will be for: Omnican fine needles which are a universal fit. If you have any concerns regarding this change please feel free to contact the surgery and make an appointment with the doctor who they will be happy to discuss the changes with you. Interesting how they send me a letter about this but not the other change (the blood testing machine and strips). :/ There was also a leaflet enclosed called "Medication Changes: A Guide for Patients". I've just tried to find it online. The one I have is from HealthEast which seems to specify to my area so I suspect that if they're going to make changes, your "healtheast" equivalent will speak up for their own area (may explain why it does not seem to be online)... maybe. If we want me to type it's details in, just say and I'll do it next post. The reasons are along the lines of: ~new safety concerns ~new evidence about the benefits of a drug ~new treatment guidelines I assume the changes I've had come under the new treatment guidelines...
May 23, 2013 10:20 JayBee DAFNE Graduate James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 587 posts	Thought I'd just update on my new machine. It stopped working properly yesterday and I've been issued a new one with minimum hassle today. I'm a bit appalled though - none of my old machines have ever packed up within a year of use like this iCare Advanced machine. :/
May 23, 2013 21:24 Angela C DAFNE Graduate Sheffield Teaching Hospitals 1 post	Hi i was stripped of my one touch meter about 2 years ago and given a care sens one , ive since been on the dafne course and now been changed to the freestyle optium , as they said the care sens is only suitable for type 2 diabetics. Not sure my local surgery is going to like this but we shall see.