Shortage of test strips

i just had letter from the GP today saying that they will no longer support my make of blood strips, i need to get an Omni test 3 meter before my i need to re order my blood sticks. can they do this? and also does any one use this machine if so where to did get this from as have just had a really quick look on line with out finding where i can order one? i know i do test my blood a lot as i do sports ( 4 times a week ) and drive so do use around 4 boxes a month iam very worried that the GP will want to reduce this as the letter also states that they want me to go into see them about learning how to get the most benefit from testing my blood. iam really not happy

If your GP is specifying a meter which you haven't got, I feel your GP should supply the meter. I would go to the GP and demand one. I'm not sure how things work now, with all the changes to the NHS, but it sounds as if your GP has made some sort of arrangement with Omni - 'You supply the meters and I'll prescribe the strips'. There could be meters at the surgery waiting to be claimed, after all the bulk of the profit from Blood Sugar meters is gained from the strips, not the meters. If this is so, your GP should have told you about it.

I just normally pay a visit to my DSN at the hospital who has many a meter in stock.............

I assume the test strips are being discontinued by the manufacturer as opposed to your doctor saying that his practice has to stop issuing them?

As a type 1 diabetic, you should never have to buy a test meter, your GP should prescribe the one he has recommended, or as I say, your hospital clinic will have, or should have several different brands.....

You shouldn't feel your test strip prescription amount is at risk either.........your GP should have been informed from your DAFNE educators that you will be requiring more strips than that of someone not using the DAFNE principals........

So in theory when you go for your meeting, you should be confident that you can show him/her ,why your testing when you do, and how those blood results are being used effectively.........

I am just assuming you have a hospital clinic, but if you dont, I recommend taking your care to the nearest clinic as GPs dont really know much in comparison to an educated DAFNE graduate in my opinion....

Do have a look at this site http://www.diabetes.co.uk/promotions/bayer-meters.html

I've never had a problem with getting the strips for the contour and have received a free meter from this site in the past. Many manufacturers will provide you with a meter for free if you call them direct because it's in their interest for you to use the strips and for your PCT to fund the prescription.

There's also a lot of research to show that testing more frequently improves control so i would look that up. I think that it's always worth being informed as possible and making sure that you're health professionals are too!! ;-)

Good luck and best diabetic wishes xx

Hi guys a big thankyou for every one help with this phoned the GP today explained my concerns and hopefully for the time being I can stay with what I have already and test the amounts of times I need to . I was just so surprised to get a letter like that from a GP.