01.08.13
Diabetes blood testing ‘rationed’
Testing strips for diabetes are being rationed, risking serious complications, Diabetes UK has warned.
A new report indicated that 39% of people with the disease had either been refused a blood test strip or had their prescription restricted. NHS England said rationing should never take place.
Diabetes UK carried out a survey of 2,000 patients and found that 856 reported that their GP had told them there were restrictions in place for blood testing strips because of policies issued by local commissioners.
The strips are essential for self-monitoring of glucose levels.
Barbara Young, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: “Rationing test strips to save money does not make any sense, because it is putting people at increased risk of complications that are hugely expensive to treat.”
An NHS England spokesman said: “People with type 1 diabetes need to be fully supported in their self-care programme and we have previously written to all GPs, hospital doctors and community pharmacists stating quite clearly that this group of patients should not have their access to test strips restricted. For patients with Type 2 diabetes, NICE guidelines recommend their use only as part of a wider self-management package in certain instances.”
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