To walk out ? Not fair on the nhs ?

[Mulleryogurt]

Hi mumsnet,

I don’t post on here , just look for advice for my nephews but I thought I’d give this a go.

Im I’m hospital , I had a procedure this afternoon and because I live alone , had to stay in as there was no one to stay with me.

I want to walk out . I feel so bad , this bed could be given to someone else .
I feel absolutely fine and I’m just fed up. I haven’t eaten in over 48hrs because I had no food at home yesterday and I couldn’t eat for the procedure. I’m so hungry but no one knows if I’m allowed to eat or not now . I’d rather go home and be hungry . I’m also very emotional and I’m not sure why . I haven’t got anything to eat at home but at least I’ll be in my own space .

is it unfair to self discharge? Will they even let me since they’ve made me stay in ?

Have a good look through the Gvt info on Universal Credit. You can see that you can still work, and you your hours when possible, and claim the appropriate top up amount. Scroll down also and see that you can get an emergency advance of one payment. I hope that even our damn gvt take ‘no goody, waiting 2 weeks for 6 hours pay’ as a good reason!
www.gov.uk/universal-credit

You can start your claim through that link. I dare say it is a big form, but once done it’s done, and it does say at the bottom that they have their own advisors that you can contact.

Honestly you have done really well to have found / undertaken 6 hours work when in need of a hospital procedure and when times are so hard for you.

I want you to be here.

You sound so down and I wish I could come and make you a cuppa and something nice to eat and look after you.

Yes, people are struggling, but I can tell you if a neighbour or friend reached out to me and said 'mate, I've had an op, im skint and I've got no food': you would be damned right that I would be doing what I could to help'."
And most people would. Even if it's just a couple of slices of bread or a few tea has or whatever.

Please ask for help. That what benefits are for, to help people who are struggling. It's nothing to be ashamed of and while mental health can't be cured by having something to eat and drink, you'll almost defo feel better.

Please please talk to someone, and make sure you get the rest and help you need.

You're entitled to extra help. Please make sure you look into it. That's exactly what the benefit system is there for.

Don't suffer in silence. You're not alone and if you need any help with forms or where to go or what to do next I'm sure all of us on here will be willing to help xx

Contact the council. A social worker should be able to tell you if you are eligible for any benefits and signpost any organisations that can help. Usually some of this info is on their webpage, at least it is for my council. A social worker can also help you fill in the forms for benefits, or the citizens advice, but you need to be honest about how you are struggling. I know it’s hard as I’ve been there myself but you will feel massive relief once you have done it. There is no shame in asking for help and there is help out there. Best of luck, OP.

OP, councils also have discretionary funds for people in difficulty. Ask yours what is available.

Thank you, I’m going to start calling places and applying tomorrow. I feel so drained, unwell and tired today. You’ve all made me feel a little less embarrassed so thank you.

Make sure you claim some of the Olio goodies today and get a good meal in you. Tomorrow is a new start and a new day- but do it on a full tummy.

Thank you , I did have a look on there but the only food item going near me is a bag of frozen peas.

If by some small chance you happen to be in the Plymouth area drop me a private message :-)

@Mulleryogurt

I'm a stranger on the internet and taking a huge liberty, but I'm sending you a huge, but gentle, hug. You can do this - there are services and resources out there to help you. Just reach out, and see what an improvement it will make on your life. 🌹

Thank you , hugs are very needed right now.

Thank you for being so kind . I am hours and hours away from Plymouth though .
I've managed to eat now. Had some cheese and also had 3 potato smiles left in the freezer and some squash to drink . Not a lot but at least I’ve had something .
I will see what help I can get tomorrow. For now I just need to rest . I’m in pain and overwhelmed

Hi there, I just wanted to say , you are entitled to Universal Credit, unless you’ve got over 16k in savings, which sounds unlikely. You can apply online and on the phone now without going into the benefits office. It takes ages to come through, and it’s not much, but it helps. And you can still have it if you work a few hours.
I hope you feel stronger tomorrow, sending a hug.

Thank you . I’ve started the application . Will carry it on tomorrow as I feel so dizzy .

You might be feeling dizzy because you have not eaten or drunk much, the effects of the anaesthetic can also last for a while. Can you get yourself any food, whereabouts are you.

I’ve eaten now , I’ve had a few potato smiles and a drink. I’m in the north west

There will be free food in your area, look at fareshare based in Manchester but they have volunteers in the nw and also there may be temples offering meals.

UC is the first step. Getting on that is the first step to other benefits and discounts.

It is good in the sense that you can work along side claiming it and when you report your earnings your payments are adjusted. They don’t stop paying you until you earn enough for long enough to not be eligible to claim UC.

If you go on Entitled To and fill out the questions it will tell you what benefits you are entitled to.

Benefits are there not just for those that need a lot of input or who are completely out of work but they are there for people like yourself that can work, do work but don’t get paid enough. There are a lot of people in your position.

I know you are not feeling well and life seems to be a struggle atm but as someone who has been around the block a few times. Don’t ever give up as you don’t know what or who is around the next corner.
As long as you keep putting yourself out there I always think at some point there will be a break.

Also call citizens advice and see if you can access the household support fund! They can help with supermarket vouchers etc!

Oh OP WELL DONE for starting that application.

I think tomorrow if you still feel dizzy after a drink and a rest you should call your GP.

Good morning @Mulleryogurt - how are you doing this morning? 🌹

Thinking about the 25% single occupancy discount when you claim it, I think (but you'll need to check either online with your council or by phone - or maybe someone here could confirm) that you should get quite a bit of your overpayments back, if you've been paying 100% council tax instead of 75%. 🌹

Hello everyone ,

thanks so much for the advice . So I found some coins in my coat and managed to get a drink and a piece of fruit . Feeling a bit better .

I finished the application form and just about to call the council before their offices close about the tax

Really pleased you finished the application: that’s great news. Good luck!

Keep checking Olio…a bowl of frozen peas has protein and vitamins!

Have you got a Nectar card with points on? That you could spend?

And good luck with the council!

Thank you , it’s such a relief to have done it .

I don’t have a nectar card , I dO have a Clubcard but the vouchers aren’t available yet