Pharmacy

[jennyjoan]

Can I get a blood test for diabetes from a pharmacy. You have to book an appointment with my doctor to get her permission for nurse to take blood. Unbelievable.

[woofgang]

Lloyds pharmacy offer them
http://www.lloydspharmacy.com/en/info/type-2-diabetes-testing

[Buenchico]

I had a health check at a Tesco pharmacy a few years ago (when they'd reduced the regular price from £10 to £5) without an appointment. It included blood tests for both sugar and cholesterol levels.

Tesco also offer free diabetes screening:
https://www.tesco.com/assets/health/content/documents/Pharmacy/01736_Diabetes_V1%5B3%5D.pdf

At one time Asda were offering free diabetes screening tests but I can't find any online references to them still existing.

Lloyds offer free screening:
http://www.lloydspharmacy.com/en/info/type-2-diabetes-testing

[jennyjoan]

thanks Chris - not sure if we have Lloyds here in Belfast - will have a nosey tomorrow.

[Buenchico]

The only Lloyds pharmacies in NI offering diabetes testing appear to be in Ballymena & Magherafelt.

However Formula Health Pharmacy (59 High Street, Belfast) offer diabetes screening:
http://www.numarkpharmacists.co.uk/np/formula-health-ltd/bt1-2ab/7011

[Islay]

Perhaps the reason for having to see your dr is stop unrequired testing. Do you have a family history or reasons to suspect you are diabetic?
Even if you go elsewhere in order to get the medication you will still have to see your dr.

[anneasquith]

Maybe JJ is trying to have testing without bothering with gp, makes sense to me .

[naomi24]

I imagine you would have to book an appoint at the pharmacy too.

[naomi24]

*appointment*

[anneasquith]

Possibly, but better to use that resource rather than gp as 1st. Step.

[Islay]

But if she is found to have diabetes she will still have to go to the dr's to be tested as they will want their own tests.

[anneasquith]

And if she is found not to have diabetes, 2 appointments have been saved at her gp's :-)

[woofgang]

in the UK, its an NHS sponsored initiative to save unneeded visits to GP's and to increase the rate of diabetes testing for those who need it. There are screening questions before they start sticking needles in you

[jennyjoan]

thanks all for your answers.

oh yes many diabetics in the family

[Sqad]

JJ.......don't be silly.

Go to the GP where a batch of tests can be done.....more precise assessment of you metabolic status.

The pharmacy will only do a blood sugar which may be open to interpretation.

[jennyjoan]

Aye ok Sqad - if you say so LOL - will make an appointment when I am next in surgery as you can never through via telephone.

[Sqad]

LOL.....that is me being dominating!

[jennyjoan]

well called into surgery as yummy bakery is next door - things have achanged LOL - it is now an open surgery for blood testing on a Thursday. - will go in the turn o the day (better weather)

[Islay]

There thats better - if its as bad as you say it is in your family its better to go to the Dr as they have your history.