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

[TangoTarantella]

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?

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

I wasn't there for hearing issues

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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 …

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

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

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.

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.

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

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. 😄

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

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

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.

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

Make it up then

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.