Advice needed.

SilverSoviet

I am a 68 year old woman living in a sheltered housing complex. I have several medical conditions which leave me confined to my home often in bed and I have not been outside in over a year. I have no family or friends to call on for support although I do receive an hour and a quarter Home Help each day from Social Services. This is by no means enough but I know that I am lucky to have it with money for care being so tight.

My problem is attending hospital appointments. I can just about get there but, by the time I arrive, I am in so much pain and emotionally drained that I cannot understand what is being said to me.About four years ago after a gynae scan caused concern I attended a hospital to see a specialist. I can't even remember being there. My teeth are rotting and falling out. In part due to the medication that I am on (I take morphine for pain) but also because i cannot get to a dentist. I have had to cancel appointments including one after an MRI scan and a Neurologist saying that he would like to see me. I am not suggesting that there is anything sinister wrong with me and even in there were I am now too weak to cope with chemotherapy but I would like to know.

I have tried t several organizations to try and find some help. These include Social Services, Adult Social Care, Health in Mind, Age UK, PALS, CAB and a few others but have come up short. My GP of thirty years died and now I have a doctor to whom I can speak on the phone but I find him difficult to talk to and he seems to just want the call over as quickly as possible. He is abrupt to the point of rudeness.

If anyone has any ideas I would be most grateful as I am now in a state of despair.

pmlindyloo

I am not certain what kind of help you need.

Are you looking for financial help to get to your appointments or are you looking for other kinds of help and support? Or both?

I am extremely surprised that none of the organisations that you have been in contact with have been unable to help.

Are you receiving Attendance Allowance?

Have you had a benefits check up?

What is stopping you getting help? Finances?

What are you asking of your doctor?

If you could please explain a little more we may be able to offer some advice?

If you need some emotional support then the Red Cross have volunteers so google for more information in your area.

McKneff

Have you asked at the hospital if you can have an ambulance.....

Torry_Quine

Some dentists do home visits, you will need to contact them to ask.

jammother

Do you have a Ring and Ride service in your area? Here once you call them with proof and get a registration number - you can call them the day before and they will take you to your appointment and even take you home afterwards - it costs £1 each way. This could get you to your appointment with less effort?

Prinzessilein

If you live in sheltered housing, is there not a warden to whom you could talk?


I too live in sheltered accommodation, and this is one of the tasks that the warden would do. She will not accompany us, but she knows of all the schemes that are run to assist those in need of help. She will also make the phone call to arrange the assistance.


For a hospital visit we have a scheme called Community Cars. You pay a small amount towards the petrol, but it is much cheaper than a taxi! The driver will wait at the hospital and take you back home when you are ready....and they also take you to the dentist, to the shops or simply to visit a friend if needed. (You do need to book in advance) Perhaps your warden knows of a similar scheme in your area?

M00minMama

You can contact your GP if you think you are eligible for patient transport they can refer you on. Below are details from my area. I use this because of health reasons, mobility difficulties and I don't have anyone who can help me get to appointments during the week. They've even been able to stretcher me in to my appointments when I've been bed bound. It's a godsend For me
http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/sites/default/files/eligibility_criteria_for_patient_transport_services_0.pdf

Have you tried your Community Dental team.? They are effectively a dental surgery, usually based at a hospital, which enables people who cannot get access to a local dentist because of physical or mental difficulties. Again, I've found them great and you can use patient transport to get to and from these appointments as well. Details below
http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/dentists/Pages/community-dental-services.aspx

If you feel you are being fobbed off by your GP surgery you can write in and state your complaints to the practice Manager. As a complaint the y have to investigate and respond. Given your pain medication and other difficulties it may be possible to get an advocate who an help you navigate the different services if you find you are struggling. Again, service availability depends on area.

I hope we have all given you suggestions that can help. Living with pain and an unclear diagnosis can be very stressful. It is a positive step that you have reached out to this forum. Take care.

sheramber

if you say whereabouts you are someone may be able to dig out some information to help you.

cattie

Yes, stating location would be a help as for instance most London boroughs have a taxi card scheme for disabled people who qualify. You pay a reduced rate as your journey is subsidized by the council.

Otherwise you should be able to get patient transport to & from the hospital, but often you can sit around for ages waiting for one to take you home after your appointment.

As far as your GP is concerned, most allocate just 10 mins per patient, even when visiting the surgery, so I wouldn't take your GP sounding impatient to be off the phone personally.