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Original poster

Another hospital stay and more debt

19 replies

Wornoutmum67 · 01/10/2019 15:34

Nc as outing.

Dd has complex health needs. We've just had a week long stay in hospital after she had a 2 seizure.

It's so expensive having a child in hospital. She is in multiple times a year. I racked up a credit card debt last time she was here that I've still not managed to pay off and now I've racked up a load more.

I know I should just be grateful she's alive and coming home; and worrying about her not money. But it's so hard having a poorly child and now I've got debt to worry about too.

I had a half decent job before I had dd but I had to give it up to be her carer. Carers allowence is such a small sum and her dla doesn't go anywhere near covering everything she needs. I feel like benefits are spoken about alot in the media but no one ever addresses the fact that caring for someone is a full time, expensive role, but we're expected to support ourselves off like £250 a month.

Just being in hospital for a week has cost us nearly that as a family. Dh had to take unpaid time off work, then theres petrol, parking, food, 2 sets of pj's cut up by paramedics. I just don't know how we're supposed to manage to care for her with so little financial help when it's so expensive having a disabled child.

OP posts:

TeslaGirls · 01/10/2019 15:38

Wornoutmum I completely empathise as I have a disabled DD who is frequently in hospital, and I absolutely dread her being admitted

On top of the normal expenses I then have to fork out a fortune for taxis for DD2 as I’m a single parent with no help nearby.

Are there any charities specific to your DDs needs? Maybe they have a fund?

Sorry, didn’t mean to be all me, me, me but your post really struck a chord. I hope your DD is soon discharged and the next stay isn’t for a long while

Original poster

Wornoutmum67 · 01/10/2019 16:42

Thankfully we don't need to shell out for taxis.

We've been waiting since 11am for pharmacy so we can leave. I've now been told they'll be here at 6. All the while my parking charge is increasing.

I feel awful being so worriee about money but its just more stress on top of everything.

Not look into charities.

OP posts:

WrongKindOfFace · 01/10/2019 16:52

In relation to parking check if they offer discounted rates for longer stays. Some hospitals offer a weekly or monthly ticket at a much reduced rate, although it’s not always advertised. It might help a little.

WrongKindOfFace · 01/10/2019 16:53

Tesla, you might be entitled to claim back some of your transport costs if you are on benefits or a low income. There will be a finance office at the hospital you can ask.

WrongKindOfFace · 01/10/2019 16:55

Info for anyone attending hospital appointments. www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/help-with-health-costs/healthcare-travel-costs-scheme-htcs/

NursieBernard · 01/10/2019 17:12

All the hospitals that I've worked at (3) have free parking for those who have children admitted on the ward, check with the ward clerk if they have a similar thing on the ward your DD is admitted to.

I always advise the families that I work with that have recurrent admissions to keep a 'supplies' bag/box ready at home with things like cup-a-soup, pasta pots etc so that you have access to food without it costing a fortune. I know its not ideal food but it should be okay for a couple of days.

Also look at the Family Fund who can help with things such as clothing, white goods and days out etc.

It's definitely not easy but please seek help from charities etc as unfortunately this Government does not value what you do.

TeslaGirls · 01/10/2019 18:20

Thanks wrong it's not taxis for hospital visits with DD1, it's taxis for DD2 to get to school etc while I'm at hospital, but thanks anyway.

worn definitely look into the parking - mine is £4 a day or £10 for the month, it's very rare I go a month without being there so just generally always have a monthly ticket on the go

mumwon · 01/10/2019 18:56

go to PALS in the hospital they may be able to advise/link or help you

NotanotherboxofFrogs · 01/10/2019 20:13

I feel your pain, It's me thats in hospital and as I live alone I still need to keep the house running for various things.

As I am now, here over 28 days I am now down 750 a month as I don't have any care expenses while Im here and other cuts due to hospitalisation but I still have bills I need to pay.

NotanotherboxofFrogs · 01/10/2019 20:17

I don't have any care expenses while Im here - apparently

For taxis, it might be worth speaking to the school and see if they can signpost towards support that might help as while you are with your DD1 and DD2 still needs to attend school you need support to get her there due to DD1 regular admissions.

Original poster

Wornoutmum67 · 01/10/2019 21:17

No parking discount at this hospital. I have had a weekly ticket for £15 but then there was parking charges for the 1st morning when we didn't know we would be in so long and the today when dh used the weekly ticket and I paid for the day at a cost of another £8. So £30 just on parking!

I know that's not alot to some people but that's half my weekly shopping budget gone.

OP posts:

miaCara · 01/10/2019 21:21

Are you claiming Universal credit? Or just carers allowance?

Original poster

Wornoutmum67 · 01/10/2019 23:44

Just dla and carers allowance. My dh works so we don't get anything else other than child benefit.

Hopefully she won't be in again until at least Christmas when the winter really sets in. I've got loads of out patient appointments to attend now as well though, some an hours drive away. So that's more costs.

I'm am just happy she's well though. Just wish I didn't have this financial stress as well.

OP posts:

WrongKindOfFace · 02/10/2019 07:20

It might be worth seeing if you are entitled to any universal credit, it’s not just for people who are out of work.

For people who are struggling with costs of visiting someone in hospital your local council may offer a small grant for travel costs if you are on a low income. Or there can be local funds you can apply to for various types of help - the turn to us website or your local library will have info.

Original poster

Wornoutmum67 · 02/10/2019 08:16

My dh isn't actually on a "low" wage so we're not entitled to anything. But his wage has to cover mortgage all bills two cars, csa to his x and very expensive train commute. So he has £0 left at the end of the month. My money just has to cover the shopping bill, my petrol and nappies and clothes for the kids. Which I just about manage. But then when we have all.the extra costs of hospital stays and travel to various hospitals I start to struggle. I did used to save a little bit each month for emergencies but since her last hospital stay I got into debt and now I'm paying that off I can't save so I'm going further into the red.

There is lots of help out there for low income families. But no help for those that are in the middle. We live in the south east as well so our house is super expensive even though its just a two bed terrace. We would have moved away but had to stay close to my families for support. Dh is an orphan so we get no help from his side. We just outside the threshold for financial support but dh wage isn't enough to support us all.

It's just so hard to make ends meet.

OP posts:

WrongKindOfFace · 02/10/2019 08:23

That sounds really tough. I would look into any charity support you can get - although it would be good if support for disabled children wasn’t left to charities to fund.

Pretenditsaplan · 02/10/2019 08:37

Would it be possible to look into a work from home job? Nothing massive but you can picknup copyediting / translating / transcribing notes from audio files. Its usually per job and the more you donthe more you can charge per piece. You can do them late at night as well and just picknuo peices as and when you have time. Might pay for the parking at least?

meccacos2 · 02/10/2019 09:54

I worried about costs every time I was admitted to hospital.

Once I was laying on the gurney and ready to be wheeled into theatre for emergency surgery and I insisted the anaesthesiologist tell me how much she would be billing me after.

Everyone was staring at me waiting to wheel me in. I was in agony. But I had to know. I had already asked the surgeon and the anaesthesiologist was too embarrassed to tell me her figure.

I said “I just need to know that my out of pocket won’t be more than $350 because with all the other charges (even considering my top insurance contribution and government payments) I can’t afford your fees.”

She was embarrassed and fuffed about. In the end I didn’t get a bill from her.

But I was charged over $300 for blood work.

People don’t understand when I said I’m still paying off medical debt. They think I’m disorganised or wasteful with my money. The fact is, I’m not.

Unless a person has experience with a chronic disease of illness (and accessing medical services) either for themselves or their loved one, then they have no idea.

It’s not just one charge it’s a combination of many charges over a period of time. The constant admissions to hospital and surgery. The private consultants fees, the pharmacy charges in hospital and after discharge. The tests - scans, ultrasounds, CT’s & blood work. The treatments that aren’t covered by the government or the insurer because, although the treatments are necessary to function, they won’t immediately kill you - so although you’re admitted to hospital - it is as an outpatient and you have to pay privately.

Accessing public hospitals (in my area) means a lengthy delay and a possible absence of care.

In many cases you’re referred back to your GP and have to pay for tests privately.

Original poster

Wornoutmum67 · 02/10/2019 18:32

although it would be good if support for disabled children wasn’t left to charities to fund.

I know it feels like more and more support us provided by charities. I asked for some respite or home help and was told they would set me up with a charity. We're applying for charity funding to get a trike as well because the NHS can't even lend.

OP posts:

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