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Original poster

Physiotherapist discharging me

15 replies

GalaxyPostcard · 09/10/2021 15:29

I had a major accident a few months ago, and have finally managed to get some NHS physio. So far I have had one appointment and since then, I've tried calling to arrange another one, but they don't pick up. They have tried to call me too, three times now, always when I'm in a meeting, and I always phone back as soon as I'm off my other call, but they never pick up. They also never leave voicemails.

I've now had a letter saying that they're going to discharge me if they don't hear from me. Wtf? I've called every single day, left a voicemail every time, and at times have managed to get through to the physio team who say they will leave a message.

Not sure what I'm meant to do now. My injury has really taken away any muscle I have in my knee and I need physio but how am I meant to access it when I can't even arrange an appointment? Is it best to just go private? Anyone else experienced this with NHS physio? My last appointment was a month ago now and this is just ridiculous.

OP posts:
Justnotfeelingit · 09/10/2021 15:35

NHS physio is, in my experience, worse than useless. If you can afford to go private you definitely should.

Viviennemary · 09/10/2021 15:39

Agree. Just pay if you can.

GoWalkabout · 09/10/2021 15:41

Complain to PALs about the poor communication and unfair system.

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Rainingstones · 09/10/2021 15:42

Can you go in to the dept & ask to speak to someone?

Original poster
GalaxyPostcard · 09/10/2021 15:43

Does anyone know if private physio services visit you? I still can't leave my house. My knee muscle is ruined.

Is PALS a thing in Scotland too?

OP posts:
Original poster
GalaxyPostcard · 09/10/2021 15:43

@Rainingstones

Can you go in to the dept & ask to speak to someone?
I physically can't leave my house due to this whole situation, my knee muscle has completely deteriorated since my accident - more than it should have at this point, had I had regular physio Sad
OP posts:
RagamuffinCat · 09/10/2021 15:45

Ask them to just send you an appointment in the post with any date on it, and then arrange everything around it.

Original poster
GalaxyPostcard · 09/10/2021 15:46

@RagamuffinCat

Ask them to just send you an appointment in the post with any date on it, and then arrange everything around it.
But how can I do that when they're ignoring my calls and voicemails to speak about this?
OP posts:
RagamuffinCat · 09/10/2021 15:49

Is there no way to leave a message? If not is there an email address on their website?

Original poster
GalaxyPostcard · 09/10/2021 15:52

@RagamuffinCat

Is there no way to leave a message? If not is there an email address on their website?
There's actually an email address on the letter that came through today, good thinking. I'll send an email, hopefully at least that counts as 'proof' more than voicemails do, I suppose!
OP posts:
Mumzoo5070 · 09/10/2021 15:56

Think this is the Scottish version... www.cas.org.uk/pass

LesLavandes · 09/10/2021 16:01

That is awful. Speak with your GP first and if possible Monday and be firm with them. Make sure they know you are house bound. Good luck

Original poster
GalaxyPostcard · 09/10/2021 16:04

Thanks everyone. I'm going to make a complaint and go private. I just have no patience with this type of service. It'll be tight getting the money together but it's worth it if I get regular appointments. My grandad is dying and I want to be able to visit him before he's gone so I need to get better. I appreciate the solidarity and well wishes!

OP posts:
99bottles · 09/10/2021 16:25

I am a physio. If it was a car accident, your insurance should be covering your physio. Call your insurer and insist on this, it is what you pay for.
You can get private physio doing home visits, but the charge is usually double as they have to block out 2 appointments.

As far as the nhs goes, you can make an official complaint through PALS. The information should be on the trust website with links to how to make a complaint.

Hope you get help soon, months is really too long to wait. Might it be an idea to get a taxi to and from a private appointment? Your insurer should cover that.

Original poster
GalaxyPostcard · 09/10/2021 16:33

@99bottles

I am a physio. If it was a car accident, your insurance should be covering your physio. Call your insurer and insist on this, it is what you pay for. You can get private physio doing home visits, but the charge is usually double as they have to block out 2 appointments.

As far as the nhs goes, you can make an official complaint through PALS. The information should be on the trust website with links to how to make a complaint.

Hope you get help soon, months is really too long to wait. Might it be an idea to get a taxi to and from a private appointment? Your insurer should cover that.

Thank you. It wasn't a car accident so no leads there unfortunately.

Yeah I feel this was too long to wait. My accident was at the beginning of June, I didn't see a physiotherapist until the beginning of September. Private was out of the question as our finances were incredibly tight - I had to stop working due to the severity of the injury both mentally as well as the effect of heavy painkillers. But I'm working again (from home) so I can consider private, thankfully. Only just, but it'll be worth it.

We have a car but I can't get out of my house - there are steps down from the door with no railings, and then directly outside are those awful pebbles. I can't put any weight on my knee at the moment, and the physio I saw said it was too dangerous to try at this point.

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