This morning I went to check my blood sugar levels as instructed. Inserted needle into finger pricking device, inserted test strip into meter. Checked meter which asked for blood, pricked finger, gave resulting blood to meter via test strip. Waited requisite 5 seconds and a small image appeared on the screen. Not seen this image before so, still dripping blood from finger, got out the instruction manual and discovered that the small image indicates a low battery level and the instructions go on to tell me that any reading of blood sugars now obtained may not be accurate and that a new battery is urgently required.
Now I was given this device by my Gp's surgery some 16/18 months ago and have, since then, sought and been given prescriptions for the test strips, the needles and the sharps box in which to place the used needles and bloodied test strips. This being the case such items are, of course, on my repeat prescription list. I was also given, at the outset, a diary in which to record the daily readings. This ran out a couple of months ago so I jotted the readings into my filofax until I next went to the surgery where I asked for a new diary. Needless to say they didn't have any. When I went to the Diabetic Outpatient Clinic (My first visit since being handed over to their care by the GP) last month, the Consultant asked to see my diary and I told him that I hadn't brought it with me because it had run out but I pointed out that I had the meter with me and that, at the press of a button or two, it would provide average readings for 14 days, 30 days and then the individual readings, dated and timed, back to the day I started using it. He agreed that this was so but suggested that keeping a written record would enable me to check levels at a glance and, in an emergency, the diary would probably mean more to a paramedic or Junior A & E Doctor than the electronic gadget. I accepted these sage words and told him of my attempts to gain a new diary at the surgery. He suggested that I collect one from the clinic reception on my way out as "We always have some". They did but only after a search, a call to the hospital pharmacy and a rummage in a filing cabinet.
Back to today .......... I need a battery for my meter. I have not taken a reading since tea time yesterday so I telephoned the surgery to ask from whence such things should be obtained, did I need a prescription and if so why had no-one thought to put it onto my online repeat prescription list? Naturally enough the person who answered the 'phone didn't have a clue but offered to "make enquiries" whilst I listened to "Greensleeves" .... some 5 minutes went by before she came back on the line to say that she had spoken to the nurse and was I sure that the test meter was battery operated?
I replied that it was, she relayed this to the nurse who was presumably by now standing next to her. The nurse asked her to ask me if I was certain ~ she duly asked me and I affirmed that indeed it was not clockwork and that the symbol and corresponding instruction in the manual said it was in urgent need of a new battery, in the absence of which the readings MUST NOT be relied on. She relayed this word for word to the nurse who then said "I've never heard of such a thing, he'll have to wait and speak to Joanne tomorrow." (Joanne is the alleged Specialist Nurse for Diabetics) I then heard a door crash and the receptionist relayed all this message to me!!!! I pointed out that as a diabetic it is important that I monitor my blood sugar levels throughout the day in order that I know what to eat and when ~ I appreciated that it wasn't her fault that she had received neither adequate training from her manager nor appropriate advice from the nurse. She concurred that the nurse had been less than helpful but she didn't know who else to ask. She suggested I make an appointment to see a doctor as a
"Doctor" (Her Stress) would be sure to know but she had no available appointments today. There were appointments available tomorrow but these were not pre-bookable so could I call in the morning?. I told her that she had greater faith in the Doctors than I did and that I would go to Boots and buy a battery there. Alternatively, I postulated, I would eat what I liked, when I liked and lapse into a diabetic coma when I was sure to be taken to A & E who would no doubt issue me a new battery .... she thought I was being serious for a minute or so but then I laughed ~ a hollow laugh ~ suggested she find better employers, thanked her for her efforts, brushed aside her apologies and hung up.
Well done Nanny Hewitt and Staff Nurse Blair. What a wonderful job your NHS is doing.
