Wheelchair refusal

Chorlie

Brassedoff wrote: »

I am unable to lift anything heavy, so need something relatively light weight to move it in and out the car. I know I will need a cushion and they can be expensive, so the local NHS is really the only option I have.

This is the real reason you need to seek out some good legal advice and if you can sue the NHS. Living with a disability isn't cheap, you can have a lot of extra expenses, like wheelchairs, cushion, adaptions to you home / car etc or just taxi fares and this could be for the rest of your life, so that's several wheelchairs etc.

If you don't the rest of your life could be hard, some compensation could make the rest of your life easier and less stressful

formaldehyde_perfume

I know when I spoke to the local wheelchair assessment man, he said that for an electric wheelchair I would need to use it indoors for a few months before having an assessment that I would be safe to use it outside, but I am as shocked as everyone else that they would not provide you with a manual wheelchair. You must fight this decision. Your quality of life could be improved considerably with this, so it could be argued on mental health grounds as well as a physical need. I seem to remember your GP is very good, perhaps they could refer you separately, or write a letter outlining the medical reasons for an appeal? As they have said you don't fit their criteria, you should ask for a written statement of their criteria, as others have said. Then write a paragraph on each point that is relevant and reference them. Above all, make a stink. If you make them aware that you're not going away until you get what you need, they will assist you just to get you off their backs!

Brassedoff

Hi everyone who gave me all that great advice. I took it and put it into action, right up to my MP. Hey presto, I have an assessment in the morning. For those who have had one, what will I expect?

I don't want to break the rules on here, but can someone poi t me to the right type of legal advice? I don't want to go to one that advertises and does not follow up properly. I am based in Coventry.

saving_pennies

Hi Brassedoff,

It is amazing how things suddenly move when an MP becomes involved. I do get frustrated at services who will not listen to the service user until someone with a title after there name gets involved.

Anyways, I'm curious as to how the assessment went? Hopefully the person who assessed you would have taken a full account of your mobility issues and other circumstances and hopefully seen with their own eyes that you are in need of a wheelchair.

I know you said that you don't want to get a chair of ebay but get one yoru entitled too - I agree with this, not just because you shouldn't have to spend money on something you are entitled too from the NHS but also as the NHS assessment should look at individual needs and customed the wheelchair to meet those needs, e.g. padded seat.

Brassedoff

Quick up date; I had the assessment and I need a special chair due to how tall I am, plus I will get a fitted pressure cushion. The lady told me that she had watched me from getting dropped off, to how I walked in to her office and it was clear I needed one. She has told me I need to see my GP to ask for a further referral due to how my walking step changes after five or six steps, where I move my weight from the back of my feet to front (she said it indicated an involentary nerve response. I just said it was because after a few steps it feels like having drawing pins in my heels!). So, a success assessment which will result in a wheezy chair that even has spokes on it's wheels like my old BMX when I was a kid.

Then, a great letter from my MP at the HP. He has had the notes and as a former solicitor, advises me that I must consult a solicitor. I think he got to the bit where it said "due to surgical error". I am amazed that the pain clinic facet joint injections have gone from being no longer funded by the PCT, to, here's the appointment for them. I assume credit goes to the MP there.

The MP phoned me on Wednesday and asked to pop around to see how I was coping. He spent an hour and asked me to show him how I got around the house, what changes we had made to it to make life better, even had a play with the beds remote controls.

Then, yesterday morning, I get a letter from Dudley hospital which is a good hour or so up the motorway, informing me I have to go and see a Prof in charge of pain management no less as I have now been approved for the pump that gets fitted inside your stomach and need to be assessed!

I also had a letter from the MP who said he would keep on the case and in the event or rather when the DWP next send out a reassessment form, I am to put him down as a person who knows just how my disabilities affect me. I wonder if that will go against ATOS or G4, who will no doubt say there's nothing wrong with me. Will make the DWP's assessors decision interesting!!!

I must admit, I never really had time for the local Tories, but the MP, who has been in his post for only a year has shook some trees. I am so impressed with his actions.

redped

Good to hear that things are starting to happen for you, and it's also nice to hear of an MP actively trying to help one of his constituents (I know that's one of their roles, but we normally just think of them sitting in Westminster discussing political matters).

rogerblack

Brassedoff wrote: »

but the MP, who has been in his post for only a year has shook some trees. I am so impressed with his actions.

Is there a common phrase similar to 'name and shame' ?
Can't think of one - anyway - I think naming wouldn't be inappropriate.

saving_pennies

Hello Brassedoff,

Thank you for the update.

I am so pleased to hear how you are now getting the equipment and medical help you deserve and are entitled to. It is a pity that the turn around only happened when MP got involved rather than the service being their in the first place based on the patients needs ... but the important thing is that things are moving forward for you now.

I hope the future appointments go smoothly and are of benefit to you, plus the waiting time fr your chair is short.

Brassedoff

Whilst recovering from falling down the stairs last night, (I have the mother of all shiners) I had a phone call from the Wheelchair service today. They wanted to deliver a wheelchair. "Great" I thought, the chap turned up with one of those yellow ones that you get in hospital to take you from the car park to the dept or from your ward to another!

Whilst grateful for what they sent, I went through a load of "crock n bull" from Wheelchair services who told me I needed a speciality built one that when they deliver it they will set it up for me and ensure I use it properly.

I feel quite let down over it. I used it in the front room today and as they told me I will be having a pressure cushion due to the sciatic nerve and could only manage 10 minutes.

I am due to go and get my haircut tomorrow at the TESCO in the next city, I am already dreading the looks I know I am going to get, when people think I've nicked it!

Anyway, I am thinking of phoning and telling them to come and collect it as without the cushion, I cannot use it. Would this action be construed as some sort of refusal of treatment?

GlasweJen

Brassedoff are you sure it's your chair? You should get the whole thing as a complete package in one delivery. Also yellow is a bit of a random colour, surely they would have mentioned that and got your feedback?

I'd call them and ask for an appointment to go in with the chair as you don't believe they've given you the right one.