to want to take my pushchair into my doctors surgery?

[gillquil]

my g.p surgery has just banned pushchairs, I've them a letter that follows, is this the norm? or should I just change our G.P.?

Hello,

I would like to make a complaint about the forthcoming ban on pushchairs in the surgery from the first of April. I am a mother of three, my eldest child has just turned four and we have a double pushchair which we normally use for our two youngest. My youngest child has just turned one, and as is typical for his age, he wants to crawl and climb all the time, he definitely doesn?t want to sit on my lap while I wait, he will however normally wait happily in his pushchair, or sleep in it while we wait or during our appointments. My two year old daughter just wants to run around.

If I am unable to bring my pushchair into the surgery I am going to have to let my son crawl over the floor in the surgery which I can?t imagine being the most hygienic thing to do. Or when he is asleep I will have to wake him, and what if both he and his sister are sleeping? do I really want to wait for my appointment struggling with a sobbing two year old daughter and a crying one year old son, my handbag, and changing bag on the floor or on the seat next to me. All of which, toddler, and baby and baggage have to then be carried into the appointment. I would also like to know what is suggested for mothers who need for example to have their young child with them during say a smear test? Should I leave him to crawl around the floor in the surgery during this?

Parents that I know often rely on being able to entertain a young child or children in a pushchair so that they can speak to their G.P. or nurse for a few minutes uninterrupted. Or the child sleeps on through their appointment and waiting time, and the parent can have a proper conversation or treatment.
I don?t have the option of arranging childcare for the times when I need to come to the surgery, especially as we normally ring at 8 a.m to see what appointment we can get if any for that morning.

I asked about the security of the area that has been designated for pushchairs to be left. As far as the lady I spoke to knew, there is none, it seems that the surgery is relying on the area being ?out of sight.? I disagree anyone walking past will be able to see a row of unsecured pushchairs. Pushchairs cost as I am sure you know an enormous amount of money. We live close by and two of my neighbours have had pushchairs stolen from outside their own front doors in the last six months, and we had a child?s scooter taken ourselves. It was suggested also that I buy a bicycle style lock for our chair, but I can?t see what I would secure it to.

While I can see the need for some sort solution to the congestion in the waiting room, as a result of parents and children who are patients at XXX Surgery using pushchairs, I don?t feel that just telling people their only option is to leave their pushchairs outside, in an unsecured area, and carry in their child or children and changing bags, handbags and who knows even their shopping, is acceptable. In fact I think it?s discriminatory. I have spoken to several mothers today who are patients at XXX, as are their children, and they all agree, and have said they will be putting forward their comments also.

I look forward to your reply and hope that XXX can be a bit more creative in finding a solution that doesn?t leave patients feeling unwelcome.

Isn't this fun

"ClaireAll Tue 10-Apr-12 10:59:12
Most parents don't have twins - that is pretty factual. I don't need to know all the parents in the UK to know that!

Most aren't depressed at any one time.

Most don't have mobility issues.

What a silly thing to argue about!"

Tra-la-la

I have a visitor soon, so won't be able to post for a while.
Sure you will miss me

"jamdonut Thu 12-Apr-12 13:06:32
I'm going to say it again. It is not always possible to accomodate every individual's personal circumstances.You can try. But what it boils down to is money and resources. I'm sure the surgeries have no intended malice towards mothers and/or buggies,and their decisions will not have been taken lightly. It will be what is best in the majority of people's interests. It is ,of course, difficult if you do not fit into that category, but where will it end? How far should out-of-the ordinary situations be catered for? And shouldn't you at least try to meet them half-way by organising some sort of help e.g someone to come with you to your appointment ? Again, I know this is difficult if you are after an urgent, on-the- day appointment, but for all other routine ,bookable appointments, shouldn't you at least try?"

Which boils down to

It's inclusivity GORN MAD!!!
Let these depressed mothers in and where does it stop? Next people with mobility problems and old people will be demanding access! To the DOCTOR? Who do they think they are?
Everyone knows that the majority of able bodied, mentally healthy people are far more important than these peculiar "exceptions". Why should they get special access to a doctor? Ludicrous!!!
Honestly people these days don't know they're born
God helps those who help themselves
Blah
etc

why does depression make it impossible to carry your baby?

SardineQueen who are the peculiar "exceptions"?

Ah well staycalmandcarryon

You'd have to ask jamdonut that "It will be what is best in the majority of people's interests. It is ,of course, difficult if you do not fit into that category, but where will it end? How far should out-of-the ordinary situations be catered for? " Her words not mine.

Ah I see, apologies, I cant possibly read this whole thread! I couldnt help but pick up on that line and instantly raised my brows.... hmm so jamdonut who are these people you talk of?

Oopsi when you are depressed tasks which seem easy normally seem very difficult. Getting to the doctor can seem like a huge hurdle. Getting to the doctor when you are depressed and have twins, or are depressed and have a newborn and two others under 5, or are depressed and have a newborn and a toddler and mobility problems, or any combination of things, makes the task feel utterly insurmountable.

A woman with depression can carry a baby.
A woman with depression and twins, a woman with depression and a newborn and mobility issues (maybe she uses a stick), a woman with depression and a newborn who will have to be held and then what is to be done with the 18 month old... These are not unusual situations they are the sort of situations that people have been talking about on the thread.

And you are now going to say Well YOU would manage perfectly well what is wrong with these people in the old days people carried on with one leg etc. However I would say that if people who are in charge of young children are struggling then it is a good idea to enable them to get help, even if that does mean letting them in with a buggy or allowing them to pre-book an appointment even though they should not be allowed to or whatever it might be.

Surely these situations do not take an enormous amount of imagination to understand?

Ah oopsi you're the person who simply does not understand that different babies shit with different regularities, and are baffled by the idea that a person with a newborn would need to go out with more than one nappy in their pocket.

Odd.

So I don't expect a sensible response to my post

So can youi explain why to me please Sardiney ? I genuinely don't know.My DH once had severe depression, but it didn't affect his arms

Aha as predicted

Honestly some people, so predictable.

Most human beings would read what I just wrote and say, yes I can see that, I can see why it might be hard.

So, more slowly.

A woman needs assistance to walk
She can use a stick
She has a baby
OH LOOK isn't this handy, the pushchair is really good to lean on
She can walk and transport her baby
But oh dear she has depression
And oh dear there is a pushchair ban at the surgery
And oh dear she can't use her stick and carry her baby at the same time
And oh dear as she is depressed and a normal sort of person, she does not think "But that rule doesn't apply to me!!!!" She thinks, I can't get to the doctor, what will I do with the baby when I get there
And so she doesn't go

You see?

Somehow I doubt you will

Which boils down to

It's inclusivity GORN MAD!!!
Let these depressed mothers in and where does it stop? Next people with mobility problems and old people will be demanding access! To the DOCTOR? Who do they think they are?
Everyone knows that the majority of able bodied, mentally healthy people are far more important than these peculiar "exceptions". Why should they get special access to a doctor? Ludicrous!!!
Honestly people these days don't know they're born
God helps those who help themselves
Blah
etc

I think you're right. It's a mean spirited, judgmental and sanctimonious mindset that we'll probably see more of as the NHS becomes privatised and there are arguments about free health care no longer being available to all

I also feel that there's a weird kind of general resentment towards mothers of young children in our society and that, depressingly, it's often reflected on mumsnet. Lots and lots of talk about mothers being selfish and entitled for daring to take up any space in public when out with their DC.

Oh my goodness oppsi, you should know this if you husband suffered severly. depression effects your mentally, your brain controls everything you do so yes it can effect your arms in a way that you just cant do anything because your depression is telling you that you cant. it can be extremely severe, therefor just getting out of bed can be impossible! let alone juggling a new born baby, or any child that is pram bound whilst out, along with a physical ailment and to top it off having a mental illness = NIGHTMARE BREAKDOWN. sometimes, people make life more difficult that it needs to be, if the little things mere made a little more easier simpler to match this chaotic world we live in life would be a bit less stressful.

GeriactricBabyMama

I think you're right. It's a mean spirited, judgmental and sanctimonious mindset that we'll probably see more of as the NHS becomes privatised and there are arguments about free health care no longer being available to all

You are so right there! It makes me mad and upset.

I've asked this several times and have been ignored over and over. In some surgeries, there is limited space. It physically may not be able to accomodate multiple puschairs. So, what would you suggest then?

My eyes nearly popped out of my head when someone suggested building bigger surgeries. Seriously?! When people are going without living saving drugs and life altering medication?

Some posters are trying to make helpful suggestions such as; letting the receptionist know you need your buggy if there are restrictions. It doesn't have to be a song and a dance, just a quiet word that you cannot manage without due to health issues. This also means that the wonder mothers who can cope with all situations are creating space.

'it can effect your arms in a way that you just cant do anything because your depression is telling you that you cant. it can be extremely severe, therefor just getting out of bed can be impossible!

I would have to say in those circumstances, a parents is not fit to be caring for a young child.

I have posted my idea about 6 times now crashdoll. Others have posted ideas too. Maybe you are not reading the thread closely enough?

Aaaaaaaaaaaand BINGO!

Don't make life a little easier for mothers who are struggling, by affording them consideration and helping them!

NO way HOSE!

Take their babies away instead. Yeah man, that's a WAY better idea.

Of course taking the babies away from all of the parents with disabilities including mental health issues in the country might cost a few quid... Hmmm... Coincidentally, a similarly large amount as would be spent redesigning doctor's surgeries! But NO we can't have that! Take their babies!!!!

figures estimated for the purposes of hyperbole

I am trying to read the thread. It's quite fast and there's a helluva lot of sniping in between. I genuinely recognise this is a problem and think there are solutions. That's all I was trying to say btw!