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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

BigDahliaFan · 10/06/2024 18:53

@Carodebalo you don’t have a link to the interview do you?

Carodebalo · 10/06/2024 18:39

I recently listened to an interview with a female cardiologist who specialises in women’s hearts. She could not stress enough how important having a blood monitor is. ‘More important than owning scales?’, the interviewer asked. ‘Well yes!’ she replied. ‘To know your weight, you can look in the mirror. To know your blood pressure, you need a blood pressure monitor.’ So just go and get one … and be thankful you have a doctor who teaches you how important this is. Lots of people don’t know, until it’s too late …

JenniferBooth · 10/06/2024 18:38

Heirian · 10/06/2024 18:33

@JenniferBooth you don't get points for "not using maternity services" 😂

Well people need to stop bringing up how much us pesky patients cost the NHS then Cant have it both ways

Londonrach1 · 10/06/2024 18:36

You can do in but for £15 we got our own and everyone I know has....had it for years...great party game at the start. Yabu.

Original poster

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.

OP posts:

misszebra · 10/06/2024 18:34

there's people who are actually dying... you are able to use the one in the surgery, however for your own convenience, they recommend you buy your own... bigger issues within the NHS than this oh dear.

Heirian · 10/06/2024 18:33

@JenniferBooth you don't get points for "not using maternity services" 😂

Heirian · 10/06/2024 18:31

Kinshipug · 10/06/2024 12:39

You don't have to buy your own. There are plenty of places that have free machines. It's up to you if you'd prefer to trapse to a pharmacy or such every day or spend £20.
Unsure what it is you're expecting of your gp? You want to be allocated 8 appointments so you don't have to inconvenience yourself at all? That's what will kill the NHS once and for all.

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

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

JenniferBooth · 10/06/2024 18:31

@yumyumyumy I see I wondered if it was fucidin because i was given that for recurrent bouts of impetigo between 2005 and 2014

User26273637837368282 · 10/06/2024 18:29

you can do it at some pharmacies also some doctors surgeries have a machine in the foyer.

but generally they are a good buy if you have BP issues or a condition that could effect BP!

so many people have issues with BP it would be unrealistic to check everyone at the doctors so buying one is a good tool imo.

Original poster

TangoTarantella · 10/06/2024 18:29

PadstowGirl · 10/06/2024 18:22

Everyone who pays tax.

Show quote history

I’ve said several times in this thread that I expect to be given a BP monitor. Perhaps I didn’t phrase the OP very clearly.

OP posts:

JenniferBooth · 10/06/2024 18:29

PadstowGirl · 10/06/2024 18:25

I'm on HRT myself and I'm not in any way patient shaming.
I am very grateful that it is largely funded for me.
I would not be quibbling over a £20 monitor.

Show quote history

I have one too. But im questioning the having to take readings at specific times and the messing about Smacks of an excuse to cut HRT and save money

yumyumyumy · 10/06/2024 18:28

I wasn't there for hearing issues

yumyumyumy · 10/06/2024 18:28

@JenniferBooth it was definitely face cream. I was next to the lady and then heard the staff moaning about it.

Original poster

TangoTarantella · 10/06/2024 18:26

PeonyAndBlushSuede · 10/06/2024 18:20

They can’t provide a proper service. They haven’t been able to provide a proper service for years now.

Surely you don’t live under a rock?

Show quote history

I thankfully haven’t needed to use the NHS much. Which is perhaps why I am noticing the contrast between now and a few years ago.

Despite several PPs accusations that it’s the fault of people like me that the NHS is on its knees. Actually I rarely use it, haven’t had a face-to-face appointment and have been paying for my own private prescriptions.

OP posts:

PadstowGirl · 10/06/2024 18:25

JenniferBooth · 10/06/2024 18:21

Im on HRT too. But considering ive paid for my own mini pill paid for my own esomaprazole by buying both OTC AND am child free by choice so i havent used maternity services i guess it evens out

You really should be careful with who you come out with that shit to Because you dont know them their lives or what else they have been paying for

Show quote history

I'm on HRT myself and I'm not in any way patient shaming.
I am very grateful that it is largely funded for me.
I would not be quibbling over a £20 monitor.

JenniferBooth · 10/06/2024 18:23

yumyumyumy · 10/06/2024 18:18

This reminds me when I was in a&e last year of someone asking staff if they provided face cream!

Show quote history

You sure they didnt mean fucidin cream. With the patient blaming on here i dont trust people not to twist things

PadstowGirl · 10/06/2024 18:22

TangoTarantella · 10/06/2024 18:18

When you say ‘we’, who do you mean?

Show quote history

Everyone who pays tax.

DancingFerret · 10/06/2024 18:21

I've not read all the responses, but untreated high BP is a real concern (and I believe low BP is an even bigger concern), leading to numerous health conditions and emergency hospital admissions.

There are enough inexpensive BP monitors on the market to avoid anyone getting on their high horse about buying one. Seriously, what price health?

For the record, my monitor is an Omron with an Intelli Wrap cuff (saves messing around with a floppy cuff). There is also a free Omron app which records your readings.

JenniferBooth · 10/06/2024 18:21

PadstowGirl · 10/06/2024 18:10

I'm sorry, this boils my blood.
You mean, you want everyone else to pay for your basic medical equipment.
Be grateful we are funding your HRT, if you were paying for that it would run into thousands.

It's the same with those who demand free paracetamol, it's bloody 50p in any supermarket but it costs the NHS about £9 to process your request.

Show quote history

Im on HRT too. But considering ive paid for my own mini pill paid for my own esomaprazole by buying both OTC AND am child free by choice so i havent used maternity services i guess it evens out

You really should be careful with who you come out with that shit to Because you dont know them their lives or what else they have been paying for

PeonyAndBlushSuede · 10/06/2024 18:20

TangoTarantella · 10/06/2024 12:36

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

They can’t provide a proper service. They haven’t been able to provide a proper service for years now.

Surely you don’t live under a rock?

yumyumyumy · 10/06/2024 18:18

Gettingbysomehow · 10/06/2024 18:14

How do you expect the NHS to fund every single thing. People also expect to have moisturising creams and paracetamol for free too.
The NHS is broke. Take responsibility for yourself.
You should be checking your own blood pressure anyway. High blood pressure is called the silent killer for a reason.

This reminds me when I was in a&e last year of someone asking staff if they provided face cream!

BileBeansSara · 10/06/2024 18:18

Here are your readings OP 121/84 138/ 81 131/94 118/93 etc.

Littlemisscapable · 10/06/2024 18:18

TangoTarantella · 10/06/2024 15:27

To add, I’ve never had a face-to-face appointment for menopause/HRT. The only time was when I saw a phlebotomist for bloods. It’s all been phone calls.

Edited

This isn't great though is it ?

Original poster

TangoTarantella · 10/06/2024 18:18

PadstowGirl · 10/06/2024 18:10

I'm sorry, this boils my blood.
You mean, you want everyone else to pay for your basic medical equipment.
Be grateful we are funding your HRT, if you were paying for that it would run into thousands.

It's the same with those who demand free paracetamol, it's bloody 50p in any supermarket but it costs the NHS about £9 to process your request.

Show quote history

When you say ‘we’, who do you mean?

OP posts:

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