To think we are just as entitled to this help as 'older' people?

[Edenviolet]

We have four dcs all with significant health issues. I do not drive and we struggle to get them to the numerous and frequent hospital appts and they also have a lot of illnesses so need to see the gp a lot.

This has meant dh taking far too much time off and when he can't it costs a fortune in taxi fares.

Our gp surgery runs a transport scheme for gp and hosp appts. I phoned today as we really need the help. The woman I spoke to was decidedly off and said the service is really meant for older people, and how had I been getting to appts till now why couldn't I do that. She was very sharp in her manner and quite dismissive. Then she said I had to see the dr to get approved and that they might not and if they do there was no guarantee she would be able to find a driver when I needed one.

I phoned back to make the gp appt and suddenly heard my name in the background- the woman I'd just spoken to was talking about me and dcs to another person and it didn't sound complimentary! The receptionist I was speaking to suddenly realised, put the call on hold then came back on and said , oh I'm really sorry about that.

It has made me feel like rubbish

[JugglingBackwardsAndForwards]

You should be able to inquire about the scheme and possibility of support without GP receptionist having such an attitude - she should be far more helpful and impartial IMHO, and sympathetic too.

Also a bit of support for your DH in his employment wouldn't be out of place (from support services) as I'm sure that's very important to the whole family. They can't just assume he can always take you to all appointments.

[Owllady]

Luton hospital, no. It's 12 quid
We pay at adenbrookes too

Then there's the appointments in London you can't drive to. Dla isn't an endless pot of money, but neither are people dealing with thus either

[SoonToBeSix]

Definitely change to another pharmacy many do deliver regardless of being housebound.

[whatever5]

The receptionist was really rude Do you know who is running the service? It may not be the GP practice itself. My mother used to volunteer in a scheme similar to the one described by DeWe as my parents live in a rural area and it can be quite hard to get to and from the surgery if you don't drive or walk very well.

The service definitely wasn't just for older people. I'm not sure if she would be able to transport five people though as obviously that would require a large car.

[silvermantella]

I know the thread has moved on about, but I really think you should complain, on two counts:

1, if it does not say it is for older people, how are you supposed to know? I don't see why you shouldn't be entitled to it, and even if you aren't she should have apologised politely and told you why, not been so dismissive and rude.

2 - she definitely should not have been talking about you in public: if you could hear her presumably so could the next person to have called, or anyone in the surgery at that time. As the other receptionist actually apologised about it you have good 'proof' that it happened, and therefore a stronger case.

[SoonToBeSix]

For goodness sake do people realise how low dla mobility is ? You can't get many taxis with it.

[theywillgrowup]

and yes when i was married my husband claimed DLA due to needing a transplant,so please dont think that we have no idea about disability and dla,because we dont fully agree on some things

and by making silly names and remarks makes the thread get de-railed

that was not aimed at you op

[Tullahulla]

Applauds theywillgowup

[Owllady]

Tulla, there is an old saying, treat others how you would like to be treated yourself
You don't want to get over yourself and nor should you. Don't suggest others do the same when you know the reality yourself
I am sorry about your dh, but please read your post. It certainly doesn't show any insight

[lougle]

Can you ask the hospital to try and coordinate the appointments a bit more? Surely it would be much better if you could have 2 or 3 appointments on the same day?

[Edenviolet]

Yes 24 trips each a year. All gone already. After my dad left I relied on the 108 trips a year each (when just two dcs had taxi cards) but now they've cut that and our outgoings are so high we can't afford taxis.

[Edenviolet]

They coordinate physio, hydro and orthotics but dd is seen in diabetes clinic, ds1 in neurology, dd1 in cardiology and so on so there are still loads.

I have appts too so its overwhelming.

[Bathsheba]

It may also sound like a very silly question but are all the appointments absolutely necessary that you attend in person. Where I live there were trails of video conferencing consultations and phone consultations.

My DD has a bowel condition and has about 6 hospital appointments year - For at least 50% of them nothing new is being done, there is no physical exam - its a review of how things have been, what has changed since the last time etc - all of which could be done on the phone (and they would probably be able to fit in more appointments for other people. Can you ask the clinic nurse etc if something like that could be done if that is appropriate for review or catch up appointments?

[Tullahulla]

Insight, into what?

My life, what I know about DLA, disability, how it affects a family financially?

Don't try and take the moral high ground with me.

It doesn't work.


Op is already getting a massive amount of help, comes up with these threads every now and again, gets loads of advice and ignores......

I wonder which 'pot' her Dhs solo holiday came out of though?

[Edenviolet]

I do not 'ignore' any advice. We are limited in what we can do. We are trying our best.

Dh holiday last year was more inconvenience than expense, it was camping so was not lavish in any way. It was just too much for me with dcs alone.

[Edenviolet]

Oh, and I post on here every now and then as have no rl support and we have too many problems and I find it hard to cope.

[ikeaismylocal]

Is there any way you could stop the dla going to your dp's car and use the money for an intensive driving course. get through this year and then buy a car that you can actually drive, send dp to work on the bus and all is fine.

[Edenviolet]

Couldn't do it as all the money we have each month is gone, bills, car, car ins, rent, sensors, food and other expenses for dcs, school fees for dd1 and then its gone.

[steff13]

Do you have to take driver's training in order to be licensed? You don't have to take it here if you're over 18. If not could your husband teach you, and then you could drive him to and from work? It's not an ideal solution, but it would leave you with the vehicle during the day.

[JugglingBackwardsAndForwards]

Yes, learning to drive, if at all possible, does sound like it could be a great investment.
But Jeez Tulla, give Hedgehog a break, it doesn't sound easy and maybe she could do with some support from all?

[Edenviolet]

I think he would have to add me to the ins though and its expensive already. 280 a month.

[Morgause]

Hedgehog even if the GP says you can use the service you will only be able to take the child who has the appointment in the transport. I said upthread that my father used to drive for the scheme and he was only allowed to transport the patient and an escort. So you would not be able to take the other DCs.

You also said you need help, what help is this? The drivers are supposed to drop the patients at the entrance not help unload - a lot of them are elderly and just couldn't do that.

Would it be possible to find a childminder to pay to look after the other DCs then you could take public transport?

[Owllady]

I am not trying to take any moral high ground. I am just sick of people trying to make out everything is covered by Fla when it does not come anywhere close to
It's long term for us, a decade and a half of severe disability, prior to that I was brought up with someone chronically ill who required a double transplant (!!) There is not enough help for some people, especially when external support (from family and friends) is non existent or limited

[ikeaismylocal]

Sell the car, the time you need the car most, to take dc to appointments, it is not there.

I feel like you need to think about the future and fixing this problem in the long run.

[Owllady]

Hedgehog, are you in touch with social services?