Availability of FreeStyle sensors – update: 31st July
Abbott, the manufacturers of the FreeStyle Libre, has announced it will increase the number of FreeSyle Libre sensors people can buy at one time from two to three at a time.
Customers will be limited to ordering once every 25 days and free postage will continue. This only affects people who buy the sensors privately and does not affect those who have the system prescribed on the NHS.
In addition, people who have been on the waiting list to buy the FreeStyle Libre since April 1st will be able to purchase the system in the “coming days” and they will receive an email invitation to purchase the system.
FreeStyle Libre, IDDT issues press release
July 26th 2018
Low numbers prescribed “game-changing” diabetes technology
Results from Freedom of Information requests carried out by the InDependent Diabetes Trust (IDDT) show just 30 out of the 144 CCGs who responded have prescribed the system to just 174 people. In response to a question on which criteria decisions about prescribing the FreeStyle Libre system are made, 23 CCGs failed to provide any data.
These figures are at odds with stats provided by Diabetes UK which show 9,690 across Britain have been prescribed the technology since November, which is still a low proportion representing less than 2 per cent of the 500,000 eligible people.
To read the full press release click here
As a result of our press release, on July 26th the Daily Express made the FreeStyle libre postcode lottery a front-page story with the heading NHS DIABETES SCANDAL: 490,000 sufferers denied life-saving glucose monitor PM uses.
This can be found online: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/994343/nhs-postcode-lottery-denies-diabetes-patch-theresa-may-flash-glucose-monitor
Previous updates on this story appear below
We have had reports from people trying to purchase the FreeStyle Libre and the sensors from the manufacturers, Abbott Laboratories that there is a delay in supply. It appears that there is a 3-week delay in supply and a restriction of 2 sensors per order. This is said to be due to high demand, so hopefully it will be a temporary situation.
Update: 5th April
FreeStyle Libre not available to new customers
Abbott, the manufacturer of the FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring system has announced that they are not taking online orders from new customers until July 2018, due to unexpected demand. Therefore, people wishing to order the FreeStyle Libre for the first time will have to wait until July.
Abbott has also said that existing customers will be limited to ordering two sensors every 25 days. One sensor lasts 2 weeks.
Limiting the number of sensors does not apply to people who are obtaining the FreeStyle Libre free on an NHS prescription.
We are pleased to say that this year we are holding a conference at the Kettering Park Hotel and Spa on Saturday, October 6th 2018 entitled ‘Living with Diabetes’. Many of you will have already received a programme and an application form.
It will be an interesting day with speakers and group discussions on diet, blood glucose control and a group just for carers of people with diabetes. The title is ‘Living with Diabetes’ recognises some of the day to day difficulties of living with diabetes. Our speakers will be Dr Laurence Gerlis and Dr Gary Adams and there will also be an open forum for discussion of hot topics in today’s diabetes!
It is your opportunity to meet other people with diabetes and the Trustees and staff of IDDT and we hope that many of you come along.
The Kettering Park Hotel and Spa is easy to access from north, south, east and west by road from the M1 and M6 as it is just off junction 9 of the A14 in Northamptonshire. In addition, Kettering is only an hour from London by train.
For the programme, application form or more information call IDDT on 01604 622837 or email enquiries@iddtinternational.org or click here to print off the form.
We hope that many of you will be able to join us on October 6th 2018!
Going on holiday with diabetes requires a little bit more planning – here are some tips.
Click here to read more (PDF)
Talking meter removed
Meter for the visually impaired removed from the market
The SuperCheck2 blood glucose meter for visually impaired people has been withdrawn from the market by the manufacturer, Apollo Medical Technologies Ltd. This meter provided blood glucose readings through a voice system.
There is another glucose meter on the market to help visually impaired people with diabetes, the GlucoRx Nexus Voice Meter. This meter uses GlucoRx Nexus test strips and GlucoRx Nexus Lancets.
As we know, walking is good for our health and wellbeing, especially if you have diabetes. It is also known that walking with other people makes it enjoyable and encourages us to take more exercise.
During the summer months there are walks in Kennington, Oxfordshire and for more information click here. However, if you don’t live in that area there is an organisation called the Ramblers who have a national website which will help you to find walking groups around the country: www.ramblers.co.uk
“The number of adults and older teens with diabetes in the UK has more than doubled over the past 20 years, with 3.7 million people aged 17 or older now known to be living with the disease, campaigners say.”
On September 13th it was announced that the Freestyle Libre by Abbott will be available on the NHS from November 1st 2017 for people with Type 1 diabetes. This is a device which checks blood glucose levels by scanning a sensor worn on the back of the arm without having to prick the fingers, so non-invasively. Globally there are over 300,000 users and it is available in more than 35 countries. It is referred to as a flash glucose sensing device and is currently the only one in existence.
50% less sugar
From January 2018 IRN-BRU will contain approximately 50% less sugar. The sugar content per 100ml will reduce from 10.3g to 4.7g. For a time old and new products may be on the shelf together so remember to check the label.
People with diabetes should be aware of the carbohydrate content change and should seek medical advice.
Please click the image to zoom in for all of the info.
neuropad® is a patented 10-minute screening test for the early detection of diabetic foot syndrome; a condition which can lead to serious complications such as foot ulceration and even amputation. The test is completely painless. Think of the test as an early warning system for your feet.
List of published clinical studies: http://www.neuropad.co.uk/case-studies/
The price of the test comprising of two test pads is £14.99, no VAT payable and can be purchased from our website shop, or by phoning IDDT on 01604 622837.
IDDT formed to maintain supplies of animal insulins, not only so that this choice of natural insulin remains available for everyone, but especially for the people who have adverse reactions to the synthetic human and/or analogue insulins. We never forget that this need still exists and we know that many animal insulin users worry about the continued availability of the animal insulin they need. Many are often wrongly told that animal insulins are no longer available.
The term ‘pre-diabetes’ has crept into our language and there is debate about its use. People who are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes are now being classed as having ‘pre-diabetes’ or ‘borderline diabetes’.
IDDT now sell diabetes-friendly socks in our online shop. Our Comfort Socks have been developed for use by people with diabetes, vascular disorders and other circulatory problems. Our Fuller Fitting Longer Sock is for people who find it difficult to wear ordinary socks. These are made with a large circumference top and are suitable for people who may be suffering from oedema (swollen legs), for example.
The Comfort Socks retail at £8 and the Fuller Fitting at £12 per pair including p&p. To order your socks, please visit our online shop, or phone IDDT on 01604 622837.
This is the title of a report issued by the Parliamentary and Health Ombudsman on October 20th 2016 and the title page describes it as ‘How drivers have been let down by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’.
It is essential that people with diabetes look after their feet properly to avoid ulcers as these can lead to amputations. Prevention of foot problems is very important, therefore your feet should be inspected every day, in addition to daily washing and moisturising. It is not always easy to inspect the soles of your feet but nevertheless, it is important especially for people who have neuropathy with loss of sensation, so they don’t feel pain if an injury occurs.
This mirror, called Solesee, is ideal to enable you to see the soles of your feet and it can be purchased from the IDDT Shop.
Knowing that nerves in your feet are damaged is vitally important – because this puts your feet at a higher risk of injury and requires you to be much more meticulous in your footcare.
Prof. Andrew Levy, at Bristol University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, has invented a clever tool that helps to quickly and easily identify an early sign of a problem with the feet – the inability of the nerves to distinguish between a touch and a vibration – the VibraTip®, a small battery operated device, emits a calibrated vibration when squeezed. Only the operator knows when the VibraTip® is active because the device runs silently. If the patient cannot distinguish between a touch with vibration and a touch without vibration at the end of the big toe, nerve damage is suspected and further tests and advice are needed. Click here to read more
The simplicity of the test also allows a family member or friend to check patients’ feet at home, looking for those early signs of any loss in protective nerve function.
A VibraTip® costs only £14.30 and can be ordered from the IDDT Shop or by phoning IDDT on 01604 622837. Each device is individually blister-packed and can be used thousands of times before it needs replacing.
Several new insulins have come to the market recently; three high strength insulins which have concentrations greater than the previously standard strength of U100 and biosimilar insulin.
The Trustees of IDDT have discussed the introduction of different strengths of insulin in depth and strongly expressed their concerns about the risks of errors by people with diabetes, health professionals and hospitals. These concerns come from their experiences of the introduction of the first genetically modified human insulin in the 1980s when there was a dearth of evidence of benefit and many people with diabetes were not informed of the differences from their previous natural animal insulin.
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