Well, I'm stunned

[rabbitearbandicoot]

My wife has just had an operation on her good shoulder. Why? Because she had torn tendons etc and couldn't use her stick to walk with - some make recall she had a stroke a few years back and is hemi-plegic. She couldn't use her right arm without pain - even to push herself up off the chair / bed etc.

Well, I just received a phone call from the Social Workers in Nambour hospital telling me that she is not entitled to any help - rehab, physio, home help with showering, toileting etc. Why? I asked. Because she elected to have surgery on her shoulder. The help is reserved for someone who falls and breaks something and is incapacitated from that fall.

So, in summary - she has BOTH arms useless - one from the stroke, and the other in a sling for 6 weeks - she is paralised down her left side - I have to go up tomorrow to discuss bringing her home.

I asked the Social worker - what happens when she falls over, breaks a hip - she said Oh, well that would be a different matter. You should have arranged something prior to the operation if you needed help with her. You can come and discuss it with the Social workers up here but I'm sure it's a done-deal.

So, any suggestions ????? Apart from shoot myself I mean.

[rabbitearbandicoot]

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@happyroo_bunji wrote:

rabbit, did you just assume there would all this stuff for Sue after the operation, or did someone (your GP?) tell you?

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Sue told me it was all arranged - 6 weeks in care - physio every day - someone (one of the physios?) even explained to her what they would be doing to get her arm back working - she even told me the name of the place she was going to, but I can't remember it??

When she came out of hospital last time (is it 3 months?) - they transferred her to Caloundra for Rehab - she was in there 6 weeks, and since then she has had physios come to home 4 times a week, someone came to shower her every second day, we have had domestic service 2 hours a week - that all stopped of course when she went back into hospital yesterday.

They told me today - NOTHING - no physio, no shower, no home help ??? 

[*crikey*mate*]

and the hits just keep on coming for you, eh?

please make sure you report back on here what has happened, maybe someone knows where to send a link to this thread to get some needed help/attention (with your permission of course).

somehow rabbit, somehow things will be ok.

The people of CS are really good like that and they do all band together and help out others when in need, so i reckon someone will know how to get you at least the help you had before reinstated, if not the help you need now. Between us all, we will work something out.

best of luck for tomorrow, matey.

[rabbitearbandicoot]

well, I'm back.

to cut a long story short, it seems Sue had indeed arranged everything through TCP and Yes, she has Residential Care arranged and Yes, there will be OT and Physio in the Residential Care Place and Yes,  when she comes out of Residential Care the OT and Physio will continue at home as will the shower assistance, and Yes, the arangements we made to have her shower recess altered were indeed made by us and the necessary inspections done 2 weeks ago.

So, I am not made after all.

At the interview were Chips, OT, Physio and the man who made the phone call last night telling me that it was all my fault, and what I MUST do and what I MUST buy / rent. He seemed strangely subdued this morning from the abusive tone last night, and I could barely tell where (or when) he had removed his foot from his mouth.

In fairness to him, he claimed no-one had told him about the arrangements (except Sue) but THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO NEED FOR THE TONE THAT HE USED TO ME AND EVIDENTLY TO SUE YESTERDAY.

The last thing the nurses handed me when I left was a COMPLAINTS FORM - I wonder who they thought I might have a complaint against ??

Thanks all that Intervened on our behalf.

[rabbitearbandicoot]

make that made

[the_great_she_elephant]

So glad it's all sorted. What a nightmare! From what I read and hear in the news, the Queensland Health Service is under an enormous amount of stress at the moment - but that's no excuse for rudeness.

[bright.ton42]

Nice post up there crikey. 

Rabbit so glad things have worked out well for you.  

[jean2579]

Rabbit, glad it all worked out. Make sure that you fill out that complaint form and send it in. If this guys superiors don't know how he is treating their clients they can't stop him and fix it.

[*crikey*mate*]

I'm so happy for you, rabbit.

[freddie*rooster]

Good to hear a happy ending.

[kengillard]

Fantastic Clive!!!