"ADULT INSULIN PUMP PATIENTS DO NOT ACCEPT..."

I moved to Cornwall while using an insulin pump with NHS funding initiated by another CCG area. I was told I had no choice of where I could be treated but I could only attend the Royal Cornwall Hospital (Treliske), for insulin pump clinic attendance. Here I would have to be reviewed in order to continue receiving NHS funding for my treatment, which also at Treliske includes a very rare and unusual thing of signing a "patient contract" (which I don't believe patients with other conditions requiring similar cost treatments are made to sign).

What followed was a string of approx 6 appointments issued then cancelled by the hospital within a few weeks of each being issued. In the mean time, as I had not received one appointment that the hospital would keep, my medical supplies that my life depended on were running out. Various local NHS medical staff and myself attempted to speak with specialist staff there for approx 10 weeks, leaving phone messages, sending emails and formal letters, but no-one there was interested to help, they do not communicate with either patients, GP's or any community based NHS staff.

At this point I gave in and after much NHS fighting I managed to organize myself an appointment in Devon. The Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske clearly do not want to treat adult insulin pump patients. This has a simple answer- don't treat them, close your clinic officially and let other health care providers who are committed to the job deal with it.

It appears that the insulin pump clinic at Treliske operates to block adult patients from accessing insulin pump therapy. Its lead for diabetes should feel thoroughly ashamed at how this hospital treats adult type 1 diabetic patients on insulin pumps, they really need to change there attitude, be retrained or should be closed down.

AVOID THIS HOSPITAL AT ALL COSTS IF YOU ARE AN ADULT TYPE 1 DIABETIC USING AN INSULIN PUMP, A TERRIBLE HOSPITAL AND TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE!