Read Petition Responses

It's one thing for your doctors to expect you to manage your diabetes, but how can you really do it if you cannot gauge day to day fluctuations in your diabetes. Six monthly blood tests etc are not good enough. the only reason for not allowing anyone to self-test is one of expense not the patient's interest. I think this service should be available to all diabetics especially the newly diagnosed, as I understand from my GP if I cannot manage my condition properly and/or end up on insulin I will be given the prescription to self test. As far as I'm concerned as a newly diagnosed diabetic this is not a proactive stance and as such should not be allowed. I feel that self testing is very importatnt to all diabetics and should be available to all.

I was diagnosed Type 2 in February, whilst in hospital for surgery. I have found the self testing meter brilliant. I have lost over 2 stone in weight, and my blood sugar has reduced considerably. My Dr. has agreed to let me continue to obtain prescriptions for my self testing i.e. strips and lancets, although the diabetic nurse thinks I could do it without. I am 71 years of age, and have always been very active. The meter is invaluable to me.

For those of us who understand our diabetes, testing is essential o maintain control, reduce the need for medication and avoid complications

I strongly disagree with the above statement. I feel that regular monitoring gives peace of mind that your diabetes or in my case my 7 year old daughter's diabetes is being well controlled . I feel that it is always the health professionals that come up with these statements which I find ironis as they usually do not have diabetes or a child with diabetes and although they may have lots of knowledge they do not live the life of a person with diabetes so they have absolutely no idea how one feels!.

Kind regards Angela

My hisband is diabetic and self testing is an integral oart of living with diabetes. He does not find it depressing, he just accepts this as a normal way of life.

Keeping an eye on my blood sugar levels by self testing gives me control over my life. I don't sit around worrying about my levels being high or low I just know i have to be aware of the implications of having highs and lows and the restrictions on the things I do when I'm having highs or lows. knowledge is power, testing and knowing what you levels are means you can make safe decisions on doing normal things that other people take for granted.....such as exercise.

I am delivery driver and my levels can drop from normal to below 4 mmol in just two heavy deliverys, I have been told i can test twice a week, how the hell am I going to make sure I dont hypo when driving my 7.5 tonne lorry and kill myself and others. Thats not helpfull to anyone.

We need to test regularly. 3 months after being diagnosed and been given testing equipment whilst in hospital, my D.Nurse now tells me to stop testing. How can we maintain good BSL without.

We need to test regularly. 3 months after being diagnosed and been given testing equipment whilst in hospital, my D.Nurse now tells me to stop testing. How can we maintain good BSL without.

I have had type 1 diabetes since I was a child. Since aged nine (I am now a healthy 24) I have used blood glucose testing to ensure good control of my diabetes, including preventing, diagnosing, and curing both hyper and hypoglycaemia.

While I understand the survey in question is primarily aimed at type 2 sufferers, I see no reason to deny any diabetic this fundamental tool.

Testing does not cause depression. Poor control does. Education, and better access to care teams, will solve this problem - not test strip rationing/denial.

i self-test and find the statement does not apply i have a good quality of life

I feel it is an essential part of the control regime to Know what your personal sugar level is.
I am type 2 and inject insulin last thing at night.
Monitoring my subsequent levels is essential

We are encouraged to take control of our condition whether by control of food intake or more activity. You can only realisticly moniter this effectivley by testing

I was diagnosed with diabetes at he end of march, I have had no backup as such , I have not seen the foot specialist, I have not seen the eye specialist and note even seen a dietitian yet. My sugar level is up and down and this morning my doctor refused to give me a perscription for some more test strips. How am I supposed to control my sugar levels without any backup?

what nonsense, diabetics are often told the best way to deal with diabetes is to take control of your condition self testing helps to do this, the more information we have the better we will be at controlling our conditions

Recently diagnosed - testing very good to determine effects of differnt foods etc

New Type 1

Testing is essential and should be available to all diabetes patients on the NHS. Its better to be "in the know" than driving with a blind fold on. Those people that don't want to test then that is their choice.

As a newly diagnosed patient I understand where the govenment is comming from to a point. Education is the key factor, you need to know how to control the condition if your figures are out.

I have a lot to learn and do feel down when I measure and things didn't work out as expected. Only better education and time will tell, however for every failed test there are successes and these motivate you to continue the fight.

id say id be more depressed and very anxious/scared if i couldnt test

Its totally wrong to take away our test strips, i feel i have no idea whats going on in body and therefore have less control, it gives me more discipline when i can test, i feel really insecure without them

I would actually say that you are risking people's long term health and creating more of a strain on Diabetic services if self testing is not supported. My Docotor suggested testing and said it would help me control my blood sugar. My Diabetic nurse says it can make people more stressed. When not testing as suggested by my nurse my HBA1C test on average was higher than when I tested daily. When I went back to testing I was able to prove that my morning results were the worst and my medication was changed accordingly - facts speak for themselves. I love the way these faceless studies publish results that are conducted in the monority and in most cases with sterile or constrictive parameters. Diabetics are people, first and formost and that isn't always respected by the medical profession.

Testing gives me peace of mind - not depression in fsact I would become depressed without it. Please be honest - this is just an exercise by bureaucrats to cut the cost of test strips from the NHS budget. Long term it would have the reverse effect because they will have to supply me with antidepressants instead!

I would get depressed if I could not control my condition. Knowing what could happen to me

It is making me far more anxious NOT to be able to test as I am constantly worried whether my diabetes is getting worse. It was only by testing that it was found that I needed to go on medication as my condition was worsening despite being very careful about my diet. I will have to wait another three months for my HBa1C to see what effect that medication is having - that makes me very anxious.

i test my blood once a day and also if i try some new food to see what effect it has on me,,,,,,, unless i know i could be doing myself more harm than good

It's non diabetics, that decide what they consider best for us that makes us depressed, NOT the testing. It's all about saving money short term, but it will end up costing more longterm when loads of us are unable to work and need looking after because we have lost our sight or legs. I love my tester it helps me stay in control and gives me peace of mind, I'd be very depressed without it. Are we all going to banned from driving next ? as DVLA states that as a diabetic we must test blood glucose before and during journeys How can we if we've got no strips

How can anyone with diabetes control their blood sugar without regular testing?This survey sounds more like a cost cutting attempt to me.

More testing means tighter control is possible. There should be no limit on testing strips, for type 1's.

self testing is an important part of living with diabtetes and this is a backhanded and cruel way of trying to save money, nothing more.since i have been dianosed i have met a number of diabetic's and they all think this is disgraceful
what causes more stress and anxious is NOT knowing how the levels are.
common sense alone would realise high levels will lead to more serious conditions and higher NHS bills trying to sort that mess out, never mind the human cost

It is inpossible to know which foods/drinks affect my Blood Glucose without testing, regular testing means tighter control which in turn leads to less complications and less depression.
If people don't have tighter control then the burden on the NHS will be even greater with more complications.
Also what about the reccomendations from the DVLA for drivers to test before driving and regularly on long journeys, is it not irresponsible to drive without testing? To condemn self testing is definate step back in the management of Diabetes and will lead to a greater cost to the NHS than the cost of providing test strips.

My life is not quantifiable.

I think it is disgraceful that the NHS is attempting to stop type 2 diabetics from self testing. I have been diagnosed as type 2 for more than two years. I have not been offered testing equipment in all that time. I did ask once and was offered a machine but no test strips. How can I afford to buy these test strips on my sick pay? It's disgraceful. I have been gathering evidence for some time to put to my GP on my next clinic visit to try and persuade her to prescribe strips and lancets to me but it now looks like a wasted effort. Still we must press ahead and hope foe a victory. Everybody, please do all you can to overturn this stupid and short sighted policy.

If I didn't test as often as I do, I know without a doubt I would not be here to tell you. Self-testing is not a luxury it';s a necessity! Wot's gone wrong in this country that health professionals are so ignorant about diabetes now? GP's and PCT's may think it saves on their budget now, but it will cost more in the long term, when uncontrolled diabetics develop inevitable complications. We need to put a stop to blood-testing restrictions NOW

I disagree, it has helped me to recognise the foods that spike/raise my blood glucose, and am able to cut them out of my diet. This also enables me to see trends of illness, stress, or wellbeing, and to keep my diabetes under control

As a recently diagnose T2, I have found testing myself has helped me to understand what I can and cant eat. My diabetic nurse will not provide the strips or monitor so I have to pay for them, even so it seems well worth it, but I will be asking her again. She claims that the only important figures are the results she gets.

I would say that self testing gives diabetics, like myself, greater control over our individual sugar levels and control would reduce the depression (lack of control). If the depression is reduced, quality of life would be greater. I myself, put all of my faith in God above and thank Him for sending his son, Jesus Christ. To condemn self testing is definately a backward step and could lead to an adverse affect on diabetics suffering from severe side affects and deterioration in their condition.

As a Type 2 I do not receive a kit at all, have to wait until Nurse calls me in!! Testing should be available to all diabetics wether thay are diet control, or on medication

As a newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic I have been categorically refused a monitor or prescription for test strips by my doctor's surgery with the reason being 'it would make me anxious and that Type 2 diabetics don't require monitoring apart from the 6month HbA1c.'

I have gotten a monitor and test strips on my own and, alarmingly, have gotten readings below 3.7 on 3 consecutive days, by doing nothing other than getting a bit more exercise (on the advice on my surgery). How many hypos would it take before showing up on a once every 6 month HbA1c?

This is just cost accouting dictating NHS health care policy. Shame on them.

I need to self test, to say that to do so will give me a lower quality of life and depression is utter rubbish. It will worry me more if I could not self test. Who are they kidding this is just another cost cutting exercise, diabetic patients will suffer and cost more because they could not monitor themselves properly and end up needing hospital care all for the sake of a test strip.

Testing enables blood sugar levels to be kept under control. This control lowers risks of diabetic related illnesses.

I strongly object to this. I use my test strips to monitor my bsl and then by altering my daily diet based on the morning reading. This significantly affects my bsl during the day and keeps it in the safezone. How can any study not recognise the importance of this given the damage that high bsl can give over the twelve month period between Hba1c? It is clearly a cost-cutting measure; a short term disgrace.

knowing my BS helps me to stay incontrol instead of diabetes being in control of me ! why does govement suddenly think we can't control our own health they feel the need to tell us all what to think and when to!! unlike the majorty of MP's running this country we are not all fools i think its just down to money once again !!!

I drive very frequently in my job and have to test up to 8 daily. I am type 1. I find it invaluable to test in order to try to reduce future complications. I do not want to lose limbs, eyesight or have kidney or arterial damage. The NHS has a DUTY to provide essential items that can help avoid these conditions. Maybe if the NHS stopped wasting money on breast implants for the depressed, giving motorised scooters to those that need the exercise and no hope alcoholics counselling and therapy, then there should be plenty of money to help people like myself who want to help themselves. Sometimes i despair at the people running the NHS.

Without testing I wouldn't have found out that I was Type 1 and NOT type 2 as originally diagnosed. I think that because of the ridiculously high price of testing strips, the powers that be are thinking of costs to the NHS. This is wrong!

Self testing has enabled me to ensure that i am making the right dietry choices and instead of adding to a despressive state it has made me feel positive, it shows i have some control over my levels.

I feel more in control when I can test my BG level once a day. If there is a spike in either direction I can take appropriate measures using the knowledge at hand.

Not knowing my BG level would depress me immensley!!

If you value your sight and legs testing is invaluable.

There are always people WITHOUT diabetes making STUPID comments like this. I wonder how many real diabetics they questioned. I'd guess: NONE.

Testing provides knowledge so that the patient can adjust his/her diet on a firm evidence base. Testing increases the involvement of the patient in his/her own treatment.

It would be impossible to gauge how different foods etc affect me without regular testing, I am only six month diagnosed so I am still learning, I could have better control if I was able to test more often.

I would not be able to manage to control my diabetes if I was not able to self monitor

alot more needs to b done to improve the lives of diabetics, i myself have had it for 30 years and unfortunately the complications are setting in andi dont feel im gettin the help i need (im only findin stuff out after findin this site!) . Self testing is a must for a type1 diabetic to ensure good control, depression is a part of diabetes & testin ur blood glucose levels or not is not goin to make any difference to your state of mind

Rather than withdrawal of test strips I would like to see them made available, free of charge, to all diabetics. Self control is important and by monitoring the effects that different foods have on blood glucose levels we can adjust our diet accordingly. Good control is unlikely to be achieved where monitoring is carried out by DNs just three or four times a year. I want to delay the need for medication and the onset of complications. I can only do this by self monitoring and adjusting my diet.

I think it is vital to be able to test your blood sugar to enable you to take appropriate action if it's too high/low.

Each diabetic is different as is the necessity for testing for each one of us

Self testing helps me enormously to monitor and control my condition (type 2) I need to see what certain foods or certain types of exercise do to my numbers, I am also on a medication that runs the risk of hypos - how am I supposed to know if Im too low to drive, or go swimming safely?

Rather than withdrawal of test strips I would like to see them made available, free of charge, to all diabetics. Self control is important and by monitoring the effects that different foods have on blood glucose levels we can adjust our diet accordingly. Good control is unlikely to be achieved where monitoring is carried out by DNs just three or four times a year. I want to delay the need for medication and the onset of complications. I can only do this by self monitoring and adjusting my diet.

been able to see my bg leavel has helped me to lower it . it does not make me depressed but help me to no what food to stay clear off with out test strips i would have been in the dark for the last 3 months worrying untill my next Hb1Ac test

As a newly diagnosed type 2 that is diet controlled, Im terriefed of eating the wrong foods in case it sends me too high. Yes we get yearly HB1c tests BUT a years worth of high BG could do a lot of damage that would cost more to cure. I dont want to go blind or loose a limb just because i cant check my levels. Im 42 and have worked all my life, never been ill and now that i need help im abandoned. THANKS GREAT BRITAIN

It is imperative for diabetics to be prescribed testing strips and lancets in order that they may become aware of which foods elevate blood glucose levels and in the long term are able to monitor their eating to combat side effects of raised blood glucose, thereby in the long term, saving the NHS millions of pounds.

I think it is a disgrace that anyone could think that self testing could cause a lower quality oflife and depression. I am a recently diagnosed type 2. I have just recently been given a testing machine and strips. This has dramatically reduced my anxietyand stress because i didn't know what was going on inside my body. it's just another cheap skate way of saving the government some money at the expense of peoples quality of life and possibly their lives

I have been diagnosed Type 2 for 9 years. I have tested throughout that time, on average 60 per month. The level of control I have achieved enables me to maintain a stable blood sugar level, resulting in the ability to lead a healthy & active life style. I am now 69, & play tennis at club standard still.

Daily testing enables me to see variations in control and refer to the Dr with up to date information, so that medication can be adjusted, & side effects assessed.

Reduced testing would have an advεrse effect on my control & quality of life.

Also I sometimes drive long distances, & it would be unsafe to drive without being able to test.

We must carry out our self-testing to be able to monitor our health and diabetes.

How can anybody look after themselves sensibly without knowing what their body is doing? Does the Government want us all to be mushrooms?

Self testing has helped me take control of my diabetes,without self testing diabetics cannot learn which foods affect their blood sugar and therefore maintain a healthy blood glucose level thereby cutting down the risks of diabetic related illnesses which,incidentally cost the health service a lot more than providing diabetics with monitors nd test strips.

I most certainly disagree with the Government survey on self testing. If test strips were withdrawn quality if life and depression would certainly set in, being able to test gives the confidence that hopefully all is well, without the strips I am sure medical visits would be more frequent and costly to the NHS not to mention the complications this could and would cause.

The conlusion that self-testing lowers quality of life is a gross generalisation, diabetes care should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in my opinion.