LIVINGLIVING
Fight for your rights
With the NICE guidelines and DVLA/DVA
requirements, it's not right to restrict test
strips or force people to use a meter that
isn't compatible with their needs.
Nikki Joule, Diabetes UK's Policy
Manager, told Desang: "Self-monitoring
of blood glucose levels is an essential
part of diabetes management for people
who treat their condition with insulin, so
it's important that they have access to
blood glucose meters and other selfmonitoring equipment that best supports
their individual needs.
"Many other people with diabetes can
also benefit from self-monitoring, and
if people with the condition are refused
their meter of choice this could affect
their ability to manage their condition
effectively, with potentially devastating
implications for their health.
"While the only requirement for the
type of meter prescribed is that they meet
the recommended clinical standards,
NICE is clear in its guidance that individual
needs must be taken into consideration
when making prescribing decisions about
blood glucose meters."
Taking this into consideration, it's
important that you know your rights
and to challenge any of the restrictions
you face when it comes to test strips.
Diabetes UK is calling on governments
and the NHS to make sure people with
Type 1 diabetes don't face restrictions to
test strips, as well as demanding a review
of the national guidance about access to
strips for people with Type 2. The charity
has even created a pack to help you
challenge your restriction to test strips,
which can also help you if you're being
asked to change to a meter that won't suit
your needs. It covers how to approach
challenging your restriction depending on
how and why the decision was made, as
well as how to make a case for why and
how often you need to test.
It's worthwhile to challenge it. Diabetes
UK found that when people challenge
restrictions to test strips, they're almost
always successful. So, if it's affecting you,
stand your ground, and do what's right for
you: a meter that suits your needs with
the right supply of test strips.
For more information on Diabetes
UK's Testing times campaign go to
www.diabetes.org.uk/testing-times
FUTHER INFORMATION
To see the NICE guidance on Type 2
diabetes in adults CLICK HERE.
To see the government's guildlines
on driving with diabetes (various
documents depending on the type of
diabetes and type of vehicle),
CLICK HERE.
For Diabetes UK's own guide to
diabetes and driving CLICK HERE.
Diabetes UK
found that when
people challenge
restrictions to
test strips, they're
almost always
successful.
"