I am distinctly fed up

[stroppy*cow]

My G.P. is being awkward - never having seen "the hole" and having no clue about the size of it or of the difficulty of trying to get dressings to stay in place, they have decided that they will refuse to let me have dressing materials on prescription.

The outreach nurses have been doing their best, but they are unable to get a regular supply of the very specialist dressings needed - they can manage to beg the odd bits and bobs from the wards, but they don't always have the things that they need.

So, until the supply problem is sorted out, I am back stuck as a semi long-term in patient, with all that cost to the NHS. This is absolutely ridiculous, I don't need nursing care most of the time, we were managing the meds fine at home. Yes "the hole" is infected (again), but the anti-biotics for that can be done at home - I don't need to be taking up a hospital bed. We have a semi compromise, they do blood tests, empty the catheter and change the dressing etc. first thing in the morning, then I sneak off for the day, aiming to be out by 10:30am at the latest. I aim to be back at the hossie at about 9pm.

I was just starting to dream about perhaps returning to work on reduced hours in the new year. Yes, I have manged to go to work whilst a hospital in-patient before, but it is far from easy. It would have been difficult enough managing the pump without all the arguments about "elf and safety", and insurance.

All that seems to concern the GP is the cost to their budget, not my welfare or well being.

I just hope that the consultant can sort this out next week and that it doesn't drag on and on. it may be different branches, but it is all the same health service at the end of the day.

[merc1_clocks]

 Ach stroppy...I honestly don't know how you stay sane with everything that happens to you, & around you !

You are truly an inspiration...

can I do anything to help you ( dus ya need chokky buttons ? )

                                               

[ilove2patch]

We all feel so helpless Stroppy. I wish we could wave a magic wand for you.

[twishy123]

    did it work??? 

[merc1_clocks]

 twishy...I don't think that you were supposed to stick it up there

[ed_blackadder_1]

Bless you stroppy, I am sure all of us would take your problems away if we could. Keep strong,

[twishy123]

At least it made her eyes light up.......

[merc1_clocks]

---

@twishy123 wrote:

At least it made her eyes light up.......

---

                                                                                      

[stampingpat]

Sending big hugs Stroppy. xxxx You have been through alot hun. Hopefully they will let you out soon. xxx

[duck_a_lorange]

---

@stroppy*cow wrote:

My G.P. is being awkward - never having seen "the hole" and having no clue about the size of it or of the difficulty of trying to get dressings to stay in place, they have decided that they will refuse to let me have dressing materials on prescription.

---

Would it be possible / worth it to change your GP?

Nobody does joined-up thinking any more, do they.

[**towery**]

can't the surgeon write the scripts for the dressing,  or does that come from the hospital bodget?

[the-ginger-ninja]

---

@**towery** wrote:

can't the surgeon write the scripts for the dressing,  or does that come from the hospital bodget?

---

I think that if the surgeon writes a script it has to come from the hospital pharmacy, they do it for inpatients and for on discharge meds but really do not like writing them for out paitents.

The GP should be writing them, it may be worth seeing a different dr from the practise or a stroppy letter to the senior partner. 

Although the hospital can continue to write the scripts if you are having problems, I had to have heparin daily while pregnant, none of the local pharmacys stock it and didn't want to order it in for me incase my script changed and they were stuck with the stuff.  Specialist dressings may cause the same issue.

[bitsnknots]

Honestly Stroppy, I can fully understand why you are so well and truly fed up.  When I had my right ankle joint removed 19 years ago, I had to have the dressing changed every day but that was only for six weeks which is nothing in comparison to what you have gone through.  Luckily for me though, the dressing were easy to get hold of.  

Sending you some hugs.  (((((Stroppy))))).  I know that the hugs won't help from a practical point of view but if they make you feel a little better, that can be a little bit of a help.

[wskneil]

Make an official complaint to either the Clinical Commisioning Group responsible for your doctors practice ( the replace the FPCs earlier this year) or direct to NHS England ( assuming you are in England!)

If you are in Scotland or Wals I am sure the procedure is similar

[stroppy*cow]

Thank you folks, you cheered me up (especially Twishy).

GP originally agreed that prescribing dressings would be no problem, but I rather suspect that they had no idea of the quantity required or that it would all go on so long. I also suspect that they had no idea of the cost involved.

Change of GP is not really an option, most practices are full up and at least the current one is within wheeling distance and is semi-accessible.

Consultant would happily write prescriptions, but not allowed to for outpatient treatment, we have enough of a problem over the hospital supplying anti-biotics for home use - I have no idea of exactly what is involved, but I know it requires a fair amount of creativity with the paperwork, and a lot of co-operation from A & E who have more scope about prescriptions for meds at home. This is the reason that we have to do my regular doses of calcium and magnesium through A & E - the only compromise we could find to prevent me having to be admitted once or twice every week.

However, I have dug through all the filed paperwork for the disability forum that I am vice-chair of - found the email address for the clinical commissioning group. I feel a carefully worded email coming on - thankyou wskneil, I had forgotten that useful email address.

Well, I have a good supply of pennies and if I can sneak past sister I am off to join the porter's poker game.

[barefoot.biker]

                                                                                                                

                                 

                                                                                                                                      

                                                                          

                                                                                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                        

                                                                                                               

                                               

                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                            

                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                

                                               

                                                                                                                            

                              

                                                                                                                                          

[rose2008-2008]

STROPPY bless your cottons,,,, you have a lot to contend with,,,, Hug for you me darlin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. ((()))

[captainbovine]

goes without saying really,

Stroppy is an inspiration to us all....

[lhasa.two]

I think if I were in your shoes stroppy, I think I might put everything in writing to the GP first and give him/her a chance to rethink your situation. Your point about taking up a bed in hospital is a good one as well as wanting to work.  Your quality of life is an issue here and should not be dismissed lightly. Of course the budgets are different but GP's have to allocate their funds to those most in need and you are one of those people. It's probably just easier on their part not to spend a moment being creative with their own budget.   Perhaps give them a time limit to reply stating you regret etc etc that you will have to contact the Commission people etc etc. and see if that helps to spur them into action to revisit your situation and supply the dressings you need.

Good luck!