Rural Wales midwife provision: covid times

static266

Really expensive and frustrating for us but I’d imagine there is nothing we can do. 

My wife is due to have our 2nd child in June and is considered high risk due to a previous c-section. From today onwards she now has a midwife or consultant appointment every 2 weeks. Appointments would usually be at our local GP surgery with a round trip of 15 miles, that’s part of living in rural Snowdonia, no surprise there. As far as I know all ‘local’ midwife appointments have now been moved to a single location due to covid and lockdowns, we now have a round trip of 54 miles per visit. 

We’re now driving an excess of 270 additional miles for the total appointments which is a big cost for us considering I’ve been furloughed for the best part of a year and my wife made redundant and now missing out on any potential maternity leave etc. 

Not expecting any solutions to this, it all just seems like a joke really. I bet there are some really sobering health related stories out there that have been secondary causes of covid. 

JamoLew

Ask at the hospital if you can speak to a benefits officer or similar 

You may be able to get assistance with travel expenses 

68ComebackSpecial

Have you checked whether your wife is eligible for Maternity Allowance? https://www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance
As she appears to have been made redundant part way through the tax year she may also be due a tax refund. That might be of some help in offsetting some of your additional costs.

poppy12345

Also check eligibity to Universal Credit by using a benefits calculator. https://www.entitledto.co.uk/benefits-calculator/Intro/Home?cid=114d0678-cc29-4d35-b8b8-799596f84c30

Any maternity allowance received will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement. Put the figures into the calculator as they are now and again as if the baby was born.

A claim for UC will end any tax credits you may already be claiming.

Travel expenses can only be claimed if you're claiming certain benefits. https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/healthcare-travel-costs-scheme-htcs/

static266

Thanks all for your ideas, unfortunately my earnings put us above the threshold for claiming help with health travel costs even though my wife receives UC. 

We will look into the tax refund though and I believe she will go on to maternity allowance but afaik I thought it would be identical to UC. 

Thrugelmir

static266 said:

Not expecting any solutions to this, it all just seems like a joke really. 

Health staff are people too. Resources are finite and under immense pressure. 

static266

Thrugelmir said:

static266 said:

Not expecting any solutions to this, it all just seems like a joke really. 

Health staff are people too. Resources are finite and under immense pressure. 

It’s the system that I have a problem with, not the staff. Even the midwife thinks it’s ridiculous that they aren’t operating in the area. 

Thrugelmir

static266 said:

Thrugelmir said:

static266 said:

Not expecting any solutions to this, it all just seems like a joke really. 

Health staff are people too. Resources are finite and under immense pressure. 

It’s the system that I have a problem with, not the staff. Even the midwife thinks it’s ridiculous that they aren’t operating in the area. 

The system can only deploy the available resources it has at it's disposal for maximum benefit to all. Health staff are vulnerable as well personally. Children to look after. Isolating after having caught Covid.  

sheramber

The local GP surgery may not be suitable for covid secure appointments with different people coming and going.
I know my local GP surgery in a local area isn't.
They have one room which can be sterilised to use for any necessary face to face appointments. Entry to the building is by appointment and you wait outside until asked to come in. 
Obviously the room has to be cleaned between each appointment. 
Hospitals are better equipped to keep everybody safe.

poppy12345

static266 said:

Thanks all for your ideas, unfortunately my earnings put us above the threshold for claiming help with health travel costs even though my wife receives UC. 

We will look into the tax refund though and I believe she will go on to maternity allowance but afaik I thought it would be identical to UC. 

You claim UC as a couple, it's not just your wife that claims it because it's a means tested benefit. Maternity Allowance is different to UC but the amount she will receive will be deducted in full from any UC entitlement because it's classed as "other income" and not earnings.

gettingtheresometime

The surgery may also be being used as a vaccination centre - I know mine is