NHS Medication Changes: Are you affected?

Please let us know how things go Alan.
Regards
Garry

The faxed letter from the DAFNE team resulted in me getting a prescription for a pot of urine testing strips! I contacted the DAFNE team to confirm that the faxed letter specified ketone blood-testing strips and they confirmed that it did and they faxed it again. I got another pot of urine testing strips! I asked the DAFNE team to fax it again, but highlight the words 'Ketone blood-testing strips'. I made an appointment to see the GP today, to explain that I don't need the blood-testing strips at the moment - I only need them when I am ill. I was amazed when she said 'But we don't know when you're going to be ill'. I had to explain that that is why I wanted them on the prescription request form - so I could request them when I'm ill. So at last, they have been added to my request form - it was a real struggle.

Thanks for letting us know Alan.
Personally, I would get some in to go on the shelf. Some pharmacies do not keep them as stock and you may wait a day or so to be able to start checking your Ketone level....and if you feel dog rough...the last thing you need do is go to a pharmacy to collect some.
Shelf life for the Abbot strips is normally over 12 months.
The ones I have in my meter wallet now are dated 05/2014. I have another box at home which I think are 10/2014 but not sure.
Hopefully they run out of date before you need use them!
Regards
Garry

Yes, good point Garry, but I forgot to mention in my last post that after the highlighted letter from the DAFNE team some blood-testing strips were prescribed as well as the two pots of urine-testing strips - so I'm fully equipped now.

Good to hear.
Regards
garry

Hi I might try speaking to my PALS people, if they can't comment on the CCG then why do they still exist ? What is the point of an advice service that doesn't give advice ?

Hi,
When it comes to doctors trying to force you to change meter or refusing to issue blood ketone strips because of cost, I've found that the best thing to do is get your diabetes team to deal with it. If I go to my nurse saying I've been told I can't have blood ketone strips, she's just spoken to my GP and demanded he give me them because it is cheaper for us to be able to test for ketones ourselves and treat them ourselves than if they refuse to let us have any and us ending up in A & E with ketoacidosis. They also apparently aren't allowed to refuse you the choice of blood glucose meter, you just have to persist (or ask your nurse to speak to them on your behalf).

Sarah