To complain about this person?

[Voidka]

DS has nappies provided by the local authority. The amount they send is never enough and I spend the 3 weeks before our delivery is allowed again trying to get someone to agree to release the delivery early.

I spoke to our School Nurse office with the hope of him being reassessed. I dont know if the woman I spoke to in the office was a Nurse or a receptionist, I think the later and for me that makes it even worse.

I asked if DS could be assessed again, she asked me why. I explained that we were going through them quicker than we were allowed them. She told me that 'we dont have the budget for any more nappies', ' We cant reassesss him so you will have to make them last longer - have you tried leaving them on longer?' 'When are you planning to toilet train him as he is 5 and he should be out of nappies now.'

I was so embarrased I didnt say anything but that we have been trying to get him trained but its difficult as he has SN. She did take my number and someone is going to phone back but I am really upset about it? I think she was rude and I have her first name. Should I complain to the Practice Manager?

i thought you were only entitled to 4 a day? any more had to be funded yourself?
i remember this being one of the things that Riven brought up with Cameron?

so, she may well be right in what she said

BUT this:
"'When are you planning to toilet train him as he is 5 and he should be out of nappies now.'"

she'd have got an earful from me for that little gem!!! wtaf???

so i would complain on that basis alone

If she was rude then yes, complain. Also you asked for another assessment, not her flippant remarks about toilet training.

Is it not possible to buy nappies to top up the ones that you get free?

All authorities have a maximum number of pads or nappies in 24 hours (I think its 5?) so a new assessment would only be to increase the size of pad or nappy. It does sound like this was a receptionist as I cant believe anyone with medical training would say something so insensitive! I think you should phone and speak to the practice manager, explaining that their staff should be made aware of insensitive comments and suggest maybe more appropriate training is required? Hope that helps :)

The people at TENA told me that I needed reassessing.

We buy extra nappies direct from them, but we seem to have to buy more each time. He has bowel problems and we can sometimes go through a couple an hour.

Do you not get any sort of disability allowance that is meant to cover these sort of expenses though? (genuine question as I would have expected a child to get whatever they need when it comes to basic needs such as this)

I'm confused that it's the school who has anything to do with assessment or budget though, surely that's the LA who funds it, not the school?

Whatever, I would definitely be reporting her. No matter who she was you asked for a reassessment, not her opinion on toilet training. People like that make my blood boil.

He does get DLA yes.

However at the moment that is being put towards his private OT, and soon will also have to stretch to private SALT as these things are not being offered.

Its not the school Wilson its the school nurse. They deal with it now as DS s at school, it used to be his HV.

hmm so the assessment may be to provide him with better nappies, but it would still be the same amount?

which is pointless because if he is soiling then his nappy needs to be changed asap doesn't it?

gah

If you post this in special needs, there are others who have had similar issues who may be able to offer advice.

In our area we went through DS's public health nurse who took the details of his bowel difficulties and submitted a letter/report to the continence service.

If your son is not under a public health nurse then perhaps ask your GP for a letter basically backing up why more nappies are needed than "usual."

No, no public health nurse.

Have had a call back regarding another assessment, have got to keep a diary of our nappy use.

I am going to write to the Practice Manager. This woman, whoever she was obviously has no understanding of children with Special Needs and she needs to get some!

YANBU. It is ridiculous IMO that you need to buy them at all.

This is probably not helpful, but I'm interested. Is there no way that you can use washable nappies?
I think she was out of order, btw, and yes YANBU to complain about her.

I have never thought about washables, but I dont know about sizing, and how the school would feel about storing them.

Plus I am starting to find it difficult to find clothes, as trousers for his age are not expecting to accommodate a nappy iyswim. Its jogging bottoms or nothing at the moment.

Have had a response from the PM that they are going to look into my complaint and get back to me.

I have also got DS an assessment next week so will see how that goes.