is the hospital asking too much?

caris

I had an appointment to attend the hospital to have some wrist splints fitted, however they have to be adjusted so the lady said she would send them to another department to have them fixed, and said that they would be ready for collection from the reception desk on Friday morning, I did not need another appointment for this.

My dilema is that the hospital is a 50 mile round trip journey from where I live,I do not have to visit the area for any other reason and was hoping that the hospital wold post them to me, but they have stated that under no circumstances will the post out splints.

Is the hospital being unreasonable.

caris

V.Lucky

Can you not offer to give them an sae to save them the cost of posting them, visiting the post office at this time of the year etc etc.

I have had wrist splints, and can't see how they would need to be adjusted as they are just a fixe metal strip down the middle, unless we had different sorts.

nottslass_2

Have they given you reason why they won't post them ? If they can't give you a reasonable/logical explanation as to why, I'd give your consultants secretary a ring,speak to her very nicely and ask if she can arrange for them to be posted to you.

pinkshoes

Could you not ask the hospital to send them to your local GP rather than sending them to you? Or could you not speak to your GP and ask him/her to speak to the hospital?

SkintGypsy

From the fact that they have needed to be adjusted it seems that they can either fit or not fit. Surely they need to check them on you to make sure they fit. If they don't then they may not do what they should, or alternatively they may cause you some additional problem that you may then sue them for.

I can understand them being cautious if that is the reason.

tiamai_d

My sons hospital are happy to post his splints out to us. Maybe they are worried they will get lost? Are they the new 'wet suit material' (neoprene?) ones, I know that because they are so expensive they won't post them out usually. Although if they are just going to sit at reception why not post them out (or pass them to your GP).

sillyvixen

maybe the hospital needs to check the fit once they have been adjusted - ring the consaultants secretary and see if the splints can be sent to a hospital/clinic nearer to get the fit checked.

caris

Thanks for all yor replies.

They are the neoprene ones. I have already attended to have then fitted. The one for the right hand/wrist is "laced" up the front and then has velcro going around it, however the velcro was not long enough to go round to meet the other piece of velcro. The splint for the left hand/wrist is a pull on one which has velcro to hold it in place, again the velco was not long enough. So the "fitter" stapled extra velco in place where needed, hence this is why they have gone back to the "mender" to have the velco sewn in place. The reason for 2 different splints is because an error was made, but the fitter said in a way that is good because now I will be able to try out the 2 designs without having to go back, if neither of these are any good I will be getting some specially made. So seeing has the fittings have already been done, I dont know why they are so reluctant to post them. I will phone my specialist and she what she says, posting to our GP is just the same as posting to my home address.

caris