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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To just ring every day

13 replies

Rosebel · 01/04/2023 21:39

This is more WIBU as I haven't done anything yet.
I'm getting increasingly pissed off with the non care of my DS. He is 2 but has development delay. He is supposed to be on waiting list for SALT, physiotherapy and hearing test. He was also supposed to see paediatric doctor in January. Nothing.
I have spoken to the doctors team but while they agreed appointment for January was supposed to happen and physiotherapy is aware there was no record of SALT or hearing test on record. I was really unhappy.
The reception team said they would email the doctor about our appointment but we wouldn't be referred to SALT until we saw the doctor.
Three weeks later and still nothing. Do u just ring every day until we actually get an appointment? Is that how it works? I'm mostly worried about SALT. He's already at nursery but is moving to the preschool unit in the summer. The preschool unit is big they won't have time to help him with his speech. I know this because I work there
Toddlers is less busy so they could help him but he's getting absolutely nothing from the professionals
Does anyone have a vague idea of how long waiting list for SALT is? Should I just ring the doctors team every day? Is it normal for them to just not get back to parents?

OP posts:
Original poster
Rosebel · 01/04/2023 21:41

Didn't realise I enabled voting. I guess YANBU is keep nagging them
YABU it's normal. They'll get to you eventually.

OP posts:
strawberry2017 · 01/04/2023 21:48

Personally I'd probably go for bugging the hell out of them.

strawberry2017 · 01/04/2023 21:49

Sorry I should add that I don't know what SALT is but it's April and if you were told January that's just ridiculous

Original poster
Rosebel · 01/04/2023 22:10

SALT is speech and language therapy which is why I'm so worried. Have this horrible image in my head of him starting school with 29 other children and unable to communicate his needs.

OP posts:
potentialmediator · 02/04/2023 00:28

I know SALT are so backlogged due to covid/the rise in speech and language delay it's caused. And just like every other NHS service. My sister ended up going private (borrowed money from family) so her 2 yo didn't wait so long, but still kept her name in the system, and eventually under the service.

In answer to your question, yes, even though it's crap, I think the more you push and advocate, the sooner you'll get seen. They're overwhelmed but if you keep chasing it helps ..a bit. Obviously it shouldn't be this way. Hope you don't wait too long.

Wrinklefree · 02/04/2023 00:44

My child had delayed speech and I was told we would be seen at the age of 3 when he starts nursery and not before, he’s 11 now.

Wrinklefree · 02/04/2023 00:45

strawberry2017 · 01/04/2023 21:49

Sorry I should add that I don't know what SALT is but it's April and if you were told January that's just ridiculous

Speech and language therapy

DandledASandle · 02/04/2023 01:06

I would say there are a few levels of action between ringing them daily and just waiting. In some areas you can access speech therapists through HVs, so maybe see if there are other routes you can try. Procedures and waiting lists will vary from one area to another, and it's worth enquiring politely from time to time, at least.

Some people find private SALT is worth starting rather than waiting for NHS provision.

Also push for a hearing test if that is still outstanding (you could try for this via GP or HV). I don't know if this is nationwide but round here SALT won't see them until they have had a hearing test, which makes sense when hearing issues are such a common underlying cause of speech delay. And if your hearing test result is "come back in 3 months" then that could add another delay.

The admin load when you have a child with SEN can be very heavy, time consuming and frustrating.

ScoobyBooby · 02/04/2023 01:48

It took 18 months from the SALT referral going in to my DS getting an appointment. He was discharged January this year after 5 sessions. He is still waiting for a hearing test that went in before the SALT . I’ve given up on that he can hear no problem.
They usually start 1-1 appointments at age 3 but before then group sessions , where they sing songs with lots of actions.

Nursery and your HV should be able to also put a referral in for SALT. Not sure why you need a GP appointment before the referral can be done? .

Its incredibly frustrating I would be phoning them every other day until something gets done

Original poster
Rosebel · 02/04/2023 07:19

It's an appointment with the paediatric doctor., not the GP. Receptionist said it needs to be referred by the paediatric doctor but I thought they'd already done that.
I'm kicking myself over the hearing test as they did ask for that but then I got a call from ENT and they persuaded me not to go ahead with an appointment. HV said she was going to rent refer him at his two year check b8that but was in November. I'm not overly worried about a hearing test though. He can hear.
I will call paediatric team and HV on Monday and see what happens.

OP posts:
ThedaBara · 02/04/2023 09:38

Oh, I feel for you. My oldest needed salt, and I honestly don't remember how long we waited because went Private in the end. The therapy she eventually received was only group, at 6 month intervals, bit useless, but kept us in the system. Its incredibly stressful, time is ticking and everyone actually says that early intervention gets the best results. The only thing you can do is keep pushing. Turn up in person when you can (to make sure they actually add the notes to the file they say they are)
Ultimately, it's a very overstretched service so you have to keep your expectations low. I really feel for families who don't have time or resources to go through this because it did feel like a part time job at some points

littleducks · 02/04/2023 09:55

I would:

  • request another hearing test from whoever referred first time and lots of developmental Paediatric departments weight accept without hearing test
-contact PALS for the Paediatric department, complain that you were told January but now also and no contact and no answers when you phone -Google your areas SALT service, lots of staff are actually open referral so you can self refer their website may have lots of tips and strategies for the interim done areas have great websites

I CAN Help - ICAN CHARITY

Concerned about a child's talking, listening and understanding? Are you looking for more information about speech, language and communication? I CAN helps parents and practitioners by providing information and resources through the I CAN Help Enquiry S...

https://www.icancharity.org.uk/i-can-help

DandledASandle · 02/04/2023 11:47

You may not be bothered about a hearing test but not having had one can be a blocker to accessing SALT.

Another option if there is a long wait for paeds is seeing if you can go private just for the paeds appt. My GP more or less suggested this to me to get help for my child within the next year. It might be a couple of hundred, it's not thousands.

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