Yesterday I received a phone call from the local children's hospital to say they had got DS's referral for OT (Paediatrician referred in Feb). Oh great I say, conversation went on and then stopped when she found out DS is in a SS. We don't do OT for SS pupils she said, City Council do that- oh,I say.I said how frustrating as DS had been referred for OT at the time of his dx ( aged 3.8 yrs now 5.2yrs) and we'd heard nothing since,and also as the paediatrician knew he was in SS.
DS bus arrived outside to drop him off, so I asked if she would phone me back. She did, and revealed she had taken the time to phone the city council, who said yes, DS had been referred, had an assigned OT and his case was open!!!!!! News to me I said, the lovely lady then gave me the number and name of assigned OT and said I should give them a ring.
I did!
And I got to speak to "DS's OT" She informed me that yes, he had been referred for sensory seeking issues back in November 2010 and had been put on the waiting list, the only OT with sensory knowledge had left soon after, so DS's case had been passed to her. Ok, I said. She then told me as she was not trained in sensory and she had told her team that she wouldn't see sensory cases- Ok I said again and added, so my DS is on a waiting list to see no-one?
She then said, well we don't have anyone. So, getting a bit pissed off now,I asked the question,so in 18 months a sensory OT has not been empolyed to replace the one who left, no was the reply, and also the OT team has not felt the need to send someone on a course to train them, no was the reply again.
Feeling even more pissed off, I said do you not think it would have been an idea once the sensory OT left and not replaced, that OT should have informed parents like myself that they may want to source a sensory OT instead of just leaving it. Well, I did say we should send a letter, says "DS OT", but you know it has to go to draft and then be passed on for approval, so maybe it just got left in a pile of papers somewhere. FUCKWITS!
Ok, I think,keep calm, I have "DS's OT" on the phone, I'm not letting her go.
Right, do you think you would see DS now as the hospital won't because he's in SS. Well, I'm not trained in sensory,she whines.
And here is where RinkyDinkyDoo outsmarts a fuckwit- well it was such a long time ago since his first referral,I say,that the sensory issues are not what the paediatrician referred him for, it's fine motor skills and undiagnosed hypermobility in hands/fingers.
Oh, I could do that- when? I pounce,and after a bit more trying to get out of it, I end the conversation with "DS's" OT confirming a home visit for an initial assessment 1st June. Hurrah.
I tell DH the whole story,who doesn't look that thrilled,and when he finally replies, he says-I'll be there for that meeting,we'll get her to repeat what she told you about the sensory bit and then we'll nail the bastards for not contacting us-love him, hate fuckwits.