Summary

The national criteria are that Flash Glucose Monitoring should be considered in people with diabetes who:

Use intensive insulin therapy - this is multiple (typically 4 or 5) daily injections or insulin pump therapy Undertake the Libre Academy Course – an online training course Attend a locally provided Flash Glucose Monitoring education session Agree to scan glucose levels no less than six times per day Agree to share glucose data with their diabetes clinic Have attended a recognised diabetes structured education programme and/or clinical team are satisfied that the person (or carer) has required knowledge/skills to self-manage diabetes.

Please do not contact your GP or the Specialist Diabetes Team/Clinic for enquiries related to starting the Freestyle Libre - please follow this process:

1.  Are you eligible for NHS Tayside funded Libre?

Are you on multiple daily injections of insulin (typically 4 or 5 injections per day*) 

or an insulin pump? 

(* Background insulin - Lantus, Levemir or Tresiba; Quick-acting insulin - Novorapid, Humalog, Fiasp or Apidra ).

If the answer is yes, you are highly likely to be eligible for funded Libre use. The full Scottish Diabetes Group eligibility document can be viewed by clicking here. 

If you attend Tayside Specialist Diabetes Service but live in Fife, only people with with Type 1 diabetes are eligible, further information here

If you think you are eligible and would like to use the Libre system the follow the steps below.

If the answer is no, if you are on twice daily insulins (e.g. humalog mix 25, humulin m3 & novomix 30) you are not currently eligible.  If you would like to consider changing to multiple daily injections of insulin, this can be discussed at your next clinic appointment.  

 

2.  Undertake the Libre Academy Course

This is a series of interactive tutorials provided free of charge by Abbott (the manufacturer of Libre). 

You MUST complete this before attending a local education session and will be required to evidence this by bringing along the completion certificate to the session.

This can be accessed by clicking the image below (sign up required): https://freestylediabetes.co.uk/freestyle-libre/academy.  This is important as you will be expected to have this information and knowledge when you attend the local education session.

 

3.  Read the Patient Partnership Agreement

Please read the Patient Partnership Agreement (click here) so you understand the standard of care you can expect from your diabetes team, and also what your team will expect of you if you receive NHS funded Freestyle Libre. Please ensure you have read this before coming to the local education session as you will be asked to sign a copy at the session. 

 

4.  Book an education session

Education sessions lasting 90 minutes will be delivered by members of the Tayside specialist diabetes team.  They will take place either in the Strathmore Diabetes Centre, Ninewells Hospital or at Perth Royal Infirmary.

 

We are striving to deliver Freestyle Libre education to as many people as possible - as soon as possible.  We are asking everyone to everyone to use Eventbrite to book a place on the local education session.  

Evenbrite is an event booking website and is not affiliated with NHS Tayside.  Your details and attendance at this event will not be visible on Eventbrite to other users.   Evenbrite privacy policy can be accessed here.

 

Please book your place by clicking here this will take you to the Evenbrite booking page

 

Cancellation: If you book a session and can no longer attend please cancel your booking as these places are in high demand. You can cancel your booking by going back in via your evenbrite confirmation or email diabetesmcn.tayside@nhs.net

 

	You MUST bring the following with you to the education session: Libre Academy Completion Certificate (either printed out or on a device e.g. phone) A copy of your latest insulin repeat prescription to confirm your insulin regimen
	Failure to bring these may result in you not being able to participate in the education session and your start on Libre being delayed.

 

5.  Download the Librelink App on your phone

Before coming to the education event please download the LibreLink App on your phone (click the image below to be taken to Abbott's website for further information) and create an account.  If you don't have an android phone or iPhone 7 or above, please still sign up to LibreView as you can use this with the provided Libre Reader.

IMPORTANT:  The account you create on Librelink is also how you log in to Libreview (the webpage to review your glucose results). 

*iPhone 7 and above only (must have most recent iOS update installed)

 

 

 

What Happens Next

We look forward to seeing you at one of our education sessions.  After you attend, a letter will be sent to your GP recommending prescription of Libre sensors.

 

Now that you've started using Libre?

If you are having technical problems with your Libre (sensors falling off early / inaccurate sensors etc.) please contact Abbott Customer Care:  0800 170 1177 - your GP / Diabetes team/clinic cannot help with these matters.

 

If your problems relate to difficulties using the Libre, understanding the results or for general advice on improving diabetes control, please contact the diabetes nurse specialists (Ninewells 01382 632293 or Perth 01738 473476). 

 

Other Useful Information

Click on the image below to view instructional videos from the manufacturers website - viewing these videos is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for people who have never used / applied a Libre sensor before.

 

People who attend Tayside Specialist Diabetes Centre but live in other areas

If you attend the Tayside Specialist Diabetes Service but live in Fife Health Board/Council area then your prescritions are funded by NHS Fife.  At this time (October 2018) the criteria for NHS Fife funded Freestyle Libre are for people with Type 1 diabetes only.  This will be revised if the position changes.  If you wish to raise this further please contact NHS Fife directly.