Premature Baby In Hospital - Any Help?

Boppy_2

My friend had her little boy 10 weeks early due to complications and he's currently in NICU and has recently been very poorly but is getting better slowly. Obviously she wants to spend as much time as possible with her little baby but she has a daughter as well at school so has school runs to do also, her husband works full time.

Now it is costing £20 a day in petrol to get to and from the hospital which is putting a massive financial strain on them but she has to be there which is completely understandable. Does anyone know of anything she could get to help with the costs whilst her little man is poorly?

Thanks.

Vader123

Does she work? And what does she earn?
What does hubby earn?
Do they have any savings?
Has she spoke to the hospital about help? There is sometimes specialist charities that help, but might depend on all the above.

Now it is costing £20 a day in petrol to get to and from the hospital which is putting a massive financial strain on them but she has to be there which is completely understandable

Is she not allowed to stay with the baby?

Vader

Boppy_2

Vader123 wrote: »

Does she work? And what does she earn?
What does hubby earn?
Do they have any savings?
Has she spoke to the hospital about help? There is sometimes specialist charities that help, but might depend on all the above.



Is she not allowed to stay with the baby?

Vader

No she doesn't work, she's a stay at home mum because her daughter has a few problems so she's her carer. Hubby earns a little more than minimum wage I think and they don't have savings. No she hasn't spoken to the hospital about it, I didn't know they could help so I don't think she will either. Her baby could be in hospital a while and she has noone to look after her daughter when her husbands working so staying full time with the baby at hospital isn't possible I'm afraid

Thanks for your reply.

potnoodleprincess

Hi

There is a form you can fill in that provides assistance with travelling to hospital costs its called a HC1 form, if the lady you mention gets free prescriptions due to tax credits I think its a given that she will be eligible. If she knows she is eligible she needs to keep all receipts for petrol or fares and complete a HC5 form for a refund. It will all depend on the family income though

you can contact the DWP or look on gov.uk for the forms probably xx

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_4127737

DX2

Can the husband not take paternity leave for a couple of weeks?
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandworkentitlements/Parentalleaveandpay/DG_10029398

churchrat

hi
she should def ask at the hospital for any advice, and also ask about local charities. There are several around the country which provide different types of support. It can be very patchy tho. Does she get any help/support with her daughter?

AsknAnswer

Hubby could take parental leave of up to 13 weeks unpaid, but could possibly claim Income Support whilst taking parental leave.

Misstee_2

BLISS the premature baby charity do an information leaflet to help prem parents cope with the financial pressures it can be downloaded from here:
http://www.bliss.org.uk/publications.asp?section=578&sectionTitle=Download+or+order+Bliss+publications

She should also speak to the staff in the NICU, individual hospitals offer different levels of help from free parking permits, to providing meals for mums who are expressing for their babies.

Finally if she is finding it hard to cope please encourage her to phone the BLISS parent support helpline 0500 618140 9-9 Mon-Fri