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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:
Fuhjutvb · 11/06/2024 03:48

My GP sent me home with a brand new. After a few weeks I got my own and returned it. So the next person could use it right away until they manage get there own.

Mama2many73 · 11/06/2024 01:59

Our hp surgery has some you can borrow but the waiting list is massive. For the sake of £20 it's nit worth the hassle.
Uou do NIT need ghe digging all dancing ones. GPs and hospitals use basic portable ones.

Itllfalloff · 11/06/2024 00:35

They’re handy to have- OR go to the surgery daily and do it.

Noseybookworm · 10/06/2024 23:26

TangoTarantella · 10/06/2024 12:36

I don’t want a free BP monitor. I want the NHS to provide a proper service.

They do provide a proper service. You can go to a pharmacy and take your BP readings if you don't want to buy a monitor. What is it that you want your GP to do exactly?

TooBored1 · 10/06/2024 22:24

LostTheMarble · 10/06/2024 12:32

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.

Show quote history

Don't most surgeries have one in the waiting room? Just pop in a takeaway your own pressure, no appointments needed

NotMeNoNo · 10/06/2024 22:01

I would say to anyone it's the best £20 (less than 2 prescriptions) you will spend to support your health. You can check your blood pressure in 5 minutes on the comfort of your own sofa, and record the results in one of many free apps. I've been tracking mine for 3 years now as I did have high BP and am now on medication. I've seen the effect of giving up caffeine (10mm in the right direction) and how much it varies, that's why they ask for an average reading over a few days.

Forhecksake · 10/06/2024 21:29

If you're of an age to need HRT, you should have one anyway. They don't call hypertension "the silent killer" for nothing.

Rosebud21 · 10/06/2024 21:20

YABU.

SophieJo · 10/06/2024 21:11

Ifailed · 10/06/2024 12:27

you can get you BP taken in all pharmacies.

Have you looked into this? I have mine taken at my local one.

CoastalCalm · 10/06/2024 21:09

The government introduced a HRT prepayment which means you won’t pay more than £20 a year , I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask you to buy a cheap monitor - one for £10 on Amazon

PadstowGirl · 10/06/2024 20:45

TangoTarantella · 10/06/2024 18:35

Thanks to all the helpful and positive posters on this thread. I didn’t expect 8 appointments or to be given a BP machine. I was just surprised that it’s an expectation that people have these things as standard at home, with no question or alternative options put forward. Anyway, I’ve bought a monitor and am bowing out now. There are some very angry people on here, I wonder if you all work for the NHS.

And yet at 18:29, just a few posts before the one I've quoted, you say "I expect to be given a BP monitor".
Was that a typo then?

NewPapaGuinea · 10/06/2024 20:43

This reflects a lot of people’s attitude to their health. More than happy to spend £xx on Netflix and takeaway coffes, but when it comes to investing in their health they becry.

Thisisnotmyid · 10/06/2024 20:34

Personally I think you’re being very unreasonable. When did people stop taking responsibility for their own health? Having one at home is very handy and you can get one quite cheap as people have said.

Despair1 · 10/06/2024 20:28

Probably worth buying one for longtem onitoring and peace of mind. If people can't/won't buy their own BP machine, they can arange to have a 24 hour monitor arranged by GP surgery

brunettemic · 10/06/2024 20:25

TangoTarantella · 10/06/2024 12:42

No I suppose just some joined up thinking. For the last 3 years a single BP reading has been enough. Nothing has changed. I don’t have BP problems, if I did then I wouldn’t mind buying a cheap monitor.

I still think it’s unreasonable to expect me to buy a monitor when it’s of no use to me (and the results are probably of no use to them either). There’s just been no thought put into it.

Show quote history

But it is of use to you because you’ve literally said you need to take readings. If you want a gold plated service, pay for private healthcare and take the pressure off the NHS.

whyhavetheygotsomany · 10/06/2024 20:24

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.

Make it up then

ALovelyCupOfNameChange · 10/06/2024 20:06

KennaThomas · 10/06/2024 16:30

It's not just a few machines.

We have 9 million people with diagnosed high blood pressure and an estimated 14 million with high blood pressure. That's an awful lot of machines to hand out!

Show quote history

I appreciate that.
I didn’t say they should have one permanently on loan.

ThatAmpleMentor · 10/06/2024 20:00

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?

Home blood pressure readings over a number of days are more accurate than readings taken at a GP practice. £20 for a device that will last you 5 years and give a more accurate result doesn't seem unreasonable.

ARichtGoodDram · 10/06/2024 19:43

leavingabusetoday · 10/06/2024 18:18

I think it’s worst that asthmatics have to buy their own inhalers when they keep them alive compared (I’m not asthmatic but I do have diabetes and this fully shocked me) most other things we should have to pay for like people who get paracetamol on prescription for example. This one I think we should have to buy our own as there is free options such as in boots and Asda near me bathroom which contain a blood pressure machine x

It shows how out of date the list is because the reason asthma isn’t included is because inhalers didn’t exist as a regular/usual treatment when the list of exemptions was created.

Its literally only been updated once since its creation, when cancer was included in 2009

ILikeALemonWedgeInMyGin · 10/06/2024 19:34

Yes it's very normal. If the NHS provided a blood pressure monitor to everyone they asked to monitor it, it would cost them millions. You can go buy one from Argos for £16.99

fetchacloth · 10/06/2024 19:26

leavingabusetoday · 10/06/2024 18:18

I think it’s worst that asthmatics have to buy their own inhalers when they keep them alive compared (I’m not asthmatic but I do have diabetes and this fully shocked me) most other things we should have to pay for like people who get paracetamol on prescription for example. This one I think we should have to buy our own as there is free options such as in boots and Asda near me bathroom which contain a blood pressure machine x

Agreed, I have asthma and have 4 different medications to take daily for it. At least I'm 60 now and don't have to pay prescription charges, but for 35 years I had to pay for all this. Not that I begrudge it as it's kept me alive and buying it privately would have cost me far more.
Over the years I've also invested in:

  • Peak flow meters
  • A BP monitor
  • A Pulse Oximeter
Some of these are all necessary items as one gets older and don't break the bank.

TIP - sometimes Boots sells BP monitors on their £10 Tuesday deal, yielding a saving of about £12 on RRP. 😄

Kinshipug · 10/06/2024 19:22

Heirian · 10/06/2024 18:31

No it isn't. Underfunding and poor management will do that.

But the machine is useful to have and Op should get one.

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Well its both isn't it. Chronic underfunding as well as seemingly infinite demands.

parkrun500club · 10/06/2024 19:13

Be grateful we are funding your HRT

Who is "we"? If I get HRT at some point I will be funding it myself, out of my taxes.

parkrun500club · 10/06/2024 19:11

Is it really the case that you can't have HRT if your blood pressure is elevated?

If it is, what's the point if relying on a patient's reading? Some will just lie to get it.

DonaldJohnTrump · 10/06/2024 18:57

Mosey on down to your local auto centre and use the tire pressure gaze.