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Original poster

can't bear this level of anxiety...

23 replies

alexsmum · 15/05/2006 09:59

as some of you know my dad is ill and stuck in majorca.the travel insurance company are being absolutely crap and while he should have been home by now , he still isn't due to their incompetence.
i have constantly got that awful lurching,bottom falling out of my stomach feeling.everytime i speak to him and my mum they are so anxious and upset.i am hassling the insurance company and they are just useless.( for future reference do NOT organise your travel insurance through the nationwide)
so i am just always on the verge of either throwing up or crying.
just wanted to get it off my chest really.

OP posts:
fairyjay · 15/05/2006 10:03

Alexsmum
Last I heard, you were off to see him. How did it go?
My Dad had a number of illnesses over many years, and I know the constant sick feeling that goes everywhere with you.
Really feeling for you.

Original poster
alexsmum · 15/05/2006 10:07

going to see him was fine fairyjay.
they kept him in hospital doing tests for a full week and found out that he has a problem with the valves in his heart.the doctor siad that ideally he wanted him to stay another week for more tests but understood that he wanted to be home.He released him on the condition that the insurance flew him home straight away with an accompanying doctor and oxygen available.he's now been stuck in a hotel near the airport for 4 days with noone giving him any information at all.they only know what they do because i've ringing the insurance people and then relaying the info.

OP posts:
coppertop · 15/05/2006 10:09

What a horrible situation for you all. :(

Original poster
alexsmum · 15/05/2006 10:12

so come on-what do i do? what can i do to put a rocket up their backside? the idea of an ill elderly man stuck in a hotel when he needs to be at home recieving medical attention doesn't seem to motivate them,what can i do?

OP posts:
coppertop · 15/05/2006 10:20

Contact newspapers maybe? The threat of bad publicity may get their arses into gear.

Original poster
alexsmum · 15/05/2006 10:21

sorry this is a genuine question now-not just a rant.does anyone have any experience that could help me here? if anyone could tell me what my next move should be that would be great.

OP posts:
me23 · 15/05/2006 10:34

hi alexsmum I'm sorry you're going through this, I haven't got any advice, but thought maybe if you started a thread in legal/money matters you might get more people who know what to do?
hth

Original poster
alexsmum · 15/05/2006 10:46

good ideea me23

OP posts:
gigwig · 15/05/2006 10:46

can you contact the british consulate in majorca and ask for their advice on the way to get the insurance people to speed up things and also to perhaps call or even visit your parents to offer some reassurance someone is there for them in spain.
I copy below the contact details of the madrid office, also the mallorca (is this majorca in spanish?)

British Consulate-General - Madrid
Address:
Centro Colon Marques de la Ensenada 16
28004 Madrid
Tel.: (+34) 91 308 5201 Fax: (+34) 91 3080882

British Consulate - Palma de Mallorca
Address:Plaza Mayor 3D, 07002 Palma de Mallorca
Tel.: (+34) (71) 712 445 / 712 085 Fax: (+34) (71) 717 520

Original poster
alexsmum · 15/05/2006 11:07

gigwig what a star.might give them a ring actually.can you believe he's still not home?

OP posts:
gigwig · 15/05/2006 11:10

It is appalling and makes it so much worse for everyone. 4 days in a hotel is terrible for him and your mother.The consulate should offer you some advice/support, I bet they have come across this before.

Original poster
alexsmum · 15/05/2006 11:16

if they were in the slightly posh hotel they had booked their holiday in, in the slightly posh resort then it might not be so bad but they are in this benidormish hell hole.

OP posts:
gigwig · 15/05/2006 11:23

oh that is so bad. they will get home soon and will recover better when at home with all familiar things.

am going out for a while but back later this afternoon.

really hope they get a definite date for leaving this afternoon. Take care....

Original poster
alexsmum · 15/05/2006 11:48

ok have just spoken to the insurance company and they are coming home tomorrow!!!!!Grin
however they are flying them via heathrow and there is a wait of ...6 hours!!!! for the shuttle up to manchester!!!!!!!! can you believe they think it's acceptable?????
and then when he gets to manchester there is an hours drive home.i could drive him home from heathrow in less than 6 hours!

OP posts:
meowmix · 15/05/2006 12:10

make that clear to them and suggest they lay on a driver/car. Will also cost them less than the flights. does he need an ambulance/medical staff for that bit of the journey?

meowmix · 15/05/2006 12:11

oh and contact ABTA and the FSA re getting compensation if you want to

Original poster
alexsmum · 15/05/2006 12:19

yes the doctor has to be with him until he gets home.
tbh-i'm going to let it lie.i'm terrified that if i phone up suggesting they change their plans then there will be another delay, and that's the last thing we want.
once they are home the shit will hit the fan.my mum can be very forceful on her own patch and i dare say there will be letters to watchdog/the press/abta etc etc

OP posts:
fairyjay · 15/05/2006 12:26

So that's one hurdle crossed Alexsmum - now onto the next!
Have you spoken to your parents' gp, or found out a cardio specialist in their area?
Do you live near to them? It just makes things so much easier.
Hope you're bearing up.

Original poster
alexsmum · 15/05/2006 12:29

chers fairyjay.
i haven't thought of anything other than getting them home.
i live about an hour away but my brother is 5 mins away.i'll go over on wednesday though.

OP posts:
fairyjay · 15/05/2006 12:40

I really do know how you feel, and I think you're absolutely right to deal with one issue at a time, otherwise you'll drown.
If you can, I'd try and get a gp home visit planned, and get some simple food in for your mum and dad.
Where do they live?

Original poster
alexsmum · 15/05/2006 16:08

my brother has been in and filled the fridge and filled the house with flowers.they live in merseyside.their gp is crap-when dad had a heart attack years ago the gp said he had a virusShock
i'm going to wait until they are home and see what they want to do because half of their stress has been caused by being powerless.once they are home they can feel more in control-i don't want to organise anything without their agreement.
Y'know i just phoned them to tell them they are going home tomorrow.noone from the insurance company had been in touch with them at all-they had no info.how bad is that?Sad

OP posts:
gigwig · 15/05/2006 16:37

great news they are on the way back. how terrible the insurance co has been. you must be relieved now. not long atall till you see them again.

threelittlebabies · 15/05/2006 21:47

Only just seen this alexsmum, sorry. Hope you are feeling a bit better now things seem to be getting sorted out. Call me if I can help at all, should have the car this week Smile

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