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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

I've never needed advice before as much as now!

12 replies

babalon · 11/08/2007 23:07

My Ds2 was born last August with bilateral talipes/clubbed foot. I knew about it from the 20 week scan and researched treatments. My nhs trust practced the ponseti method (non surgical approach) He had plaster casts from 6 days old to manipulate his ankles into a normal position, a op at 7 weeks to loosen the achiles tendon followed by maintaining the correction with a pair of boots joined in a certain position by a metal bar.

The first boots and bar ombo was made of stiff leather ( known as the dennis browne boot/ markell boot) we struggled with this brace for 5 months but it was unsuitable for our baby. He wouldn't sleep in it and had blistered feet and constantly pulled his rightg foot out of itg.

I heard of another brace called the mitchell/ponseti brae which was more expensive but much more affective than the markell.

I wrote a 9 page letter to the pct back in april, stating the reason why my ds2 should have the more expensive brace (ie in the long run saving the trust money)

After chasing an answer for 2 weeks I was told on wednesday that th PCT refuse to fund the supiriour brace.

Finally my question is

I can fight the PCT for funding or try and move to a neighbouring trust that supply the mitchells as standard. But need to go to my GP for PCT approval

I need some advice from someone who has battled before with a pct.

Help please some one must have been in a similar situation before [hmmm]

OP posts:
gess · 11/08/2007 23:20

Have you contacted your MP/councilors and dare I say it local press? How much does it cost? Is it something a charity might fund? What are their reasons for not funding the brace? HOw do they propose to treat your son considering he won't sleep in the brace they've given him and its blistering his feet.

Also perhaps worth looking for legal advice, although I'm not sure who from. It's not quite medical negligence.

gess · 11/08/2007 23:20

sorry lots of questions, but it seems unfair they've reached this decision.

babalon · 11/08/2007 23:31

I e- m ailed the cheif excecutive of the trust but he is on holiday(lucky him) I have threatened press and mp if he does not reply asap.

I have not been given reasoning for refusal yet apparently a letter is in the post! I was only given this answer after 2 weeks of styawking the pct. This made me even more mad because the decision had clearly been made a while ago nut no one had bothered to tell us.

I've rang so many peoplke but no one seems to be able to help

OP posts:
tobysmumkent · 12/08/2007 00:34

Message withdrawn

allthatglisters · 12/08/2007 14:12

My DD was refused brace treatment for her spine problem - nearly drove me mad trying to get something done - we contacted loads of people but in the end DH sat outside the patient liason office in the hospital until they saw him and took in with him a list of all the dates of stuff that had happened and people we had contacted with their responses.
They said this was really useful - she did get treatment in the end - we're not quite sure which avenue worked as we contacted lots of people including the head of the PCT.

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 12/08/2007 15:21

babalon - have you had a look at the steps website? There's a thread on the forum at the moment about Boots and Bar appeals here.

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 12/08/2007 15:40

babalon - sorry - I've just realised.....you are already on that thread aren't you?

babalon · 12/08/2007 20:54

Thanks for the input so far guys,

I was thinking of going to see our MP I think he's got a 'clinic' on fridays. Patient liasion people were very nice but not really that much help.

I'm begining to wonder if maybe the PCT always say 'no' to initial requests to see if you'll just go away . Prehaps if I just make myself a big PITA they'll fund the brace just to get rid of me.

This really is one of those situations where everywhere you turn it's like banging your head against a very spikey brick wall! I just wish someone would fight on my behalf I'm not good at telephone calls or confrontations.

Ps sorry about spelling and grammer last night I was upset and wine fulled

OP posts:
babalon · 12/08/2007 20:56

Yes Saggar that's me, Thanks anyway

OP posts:
Peachy · 12/08/2007 21:01

I was wondering if ti would be worth getting the Barbara Clark book 'fight of my life' from the library (you amy remember she successfully fought to get Hercetin for her breast cancer). I am sure anybody fighting the PCT woudl get many helpful hints from there!.

As well as the MP, approach the opposition party for your area... they're aften willing to get a blow in on the opposition! (Lib Dems helped us with DS3's statement).

Local media and news do tend to be useful as well. if you're fighting the PCT, you need to learn media skills ASAP! And the best one, is maximum publicity- not just local papers, but the local news channel.

babalon · 12/08/2007 21:08

Thats intresting I was in the library yesterday trying to find some info never thought of that!

The media scare me a bit and I worry they will only print half my son's story but if the chief excecutive doesn't reply this week then I will carry out my threats. My friend mentioned central news too so thats what I'll do.

cheers

OP posts:
Peachy · 12/08/2007 21:11

I think the media can apepar scary- but just remember that without stories they would be nothing, they need you as much as you need them.

Oh and check everything before it gets printed LOL

Given the history, i'd be very surprised if you had any problems with them. We used to use them a lot (used to fundraise for a mjor charity) and never ahd any problems.

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