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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think we shouldn’t have to buy our own blood pressure machines

314 replies

TangoTarantella · 10/06/2024 12:21

Had a text from the GP surgery this morning to say that to re-authorise my HRT prescription I need to provide daily blood pressure readings at 9am and 6pm for 4 consecutive days. I rang the surgery and asked how I was supposed to do this and they said I had to buy a blood pressure machine (as if it was the most normal thing in the world). I was gobsmacked. Am I unreasonable to think I shouldn’t have to pay for medical equipment that I don’t want? Has anyone else had this?

OP posts:
Ohfuckrucksack · 10/06/2024 12:35

If you prefer not to then there is usually a machine inside your GP - attend and use it.

It is necessary for them to be able issue your HRT.

Your choice.

ClydeBank · 10/06/2024 12:34

You could ask to go in and have your blood pressure taken if you don’t want to buy one - or ask to borrow one from a friend or family member? They are fairly common things to have these days.

Getting a monitor is probably a good idea anyway. Checking your blood pressure regularly provides useful information on your health and high blood pressure can creep up overtime with serious consequences.

I do see your point but the NHS is so underfunded and if the surgeries start funding BP monitors, money has to come out of another service or outlay.

But, if you can’t afford it you should tell them and they need to find a way round it.

Original poster
TangoTarantella · 10/06/2024 12:34

There’s nothing wrong with my blood pressure, it’s always been slightly on the low side if anything. I don’t see it as comparable to having a thermometer for kids, that’s useful for potentially urgent situations, this is routine testing.

The GP surgery isn’t open at those hours for 4 consecutive days so can’t be done there.

OP posts:
BrightLightTonight · 10/06/2024 12:33

DownWithThisKindOfThing · 10/06/2024 12:28

YANBU

seem to pay more to get less service from the NHS these days, bloody Tories

As already pointed out to the OP, she doesn’t have to buy one, she could go to her local pharmacy and get her BP taken there.

Why should other people pay more into the system so she get a free BP monitor?

LostTheMarble · 10/06/2024 12:32

DownWithThisKindOfThing · 10/06/2024 12:28

YANBU

seem to pay more to get less service from the NHS these days, bloody Tories

I’d usually agree, but taking two appointments a day for something that’s easily remedied at home doesn’t really fit into this narrative. I’d be more annoyed missing a doctors appointment for an actual need for someone who couldn’t work around finding a solution for needing their BP checked.

DownWithThisKindOfThing · 10/06/2024 12:28

YANBU

seem to pay more to get less service from the NHS these days, bloody Tories

LostTheMarble · 10/06/2024 12:27

Not exactly the same but I had to buy one for my son to get him used to having it done, otherwise they couldn’t measure if his medication was having ill effect. Wasn’t expensive, you can buy them in pharmacies as well. But pharmacies will also take your blood pressure if you don’t want to buy one, to be honest if blood pressure is something that you need to keep an eye on it’s worth investing in your own anyway.

Ifailed · 10/06/2024 12:27

you can get you BP taken in all pharmacies.

TuesdayWhistler · 10/06/2024 12:27

Yep buy your own.

I had to provide results for a week and my GP kindly leant me one.. it was vile. Looked like it had been passed around a gang of mud wrestlers and smelled like they all smoked 40 a day.
Yuck

RandomButtons · 10/06/2024 12:26

You can get a reading in most pharmacies and doctors surgeries. So yes YABU. If you have kids you should also have a good thermometer- no one moans about that.

AnchorWHAT · 10/06/2024 12:24

Yes got mine for about £20 at argos.

Octavia64 · 10/06/2024 12:23

Yes I got one off Amazon.

My surgery has one in the waiting room that prints off results so you can in theory drop in and use it.

LivingDeadGirlUK · 10/06/2024 12:23

The alternative is to have to go into the surgery twice a day, surely for the sake of £20 its a lot easier to get your own?

ny20005 · 10/06/2024 12:22

Yes, bought one for £18 on Amazon