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.

[tasfleur]

Yaaay Rabbit, I knew it would come right for you, sorry you and Sue had to go through all of that though ... 

[happyroo_bunji]

Rabbit I am so glad it has been sorted.  Power goes to some peoples heads and they act like dictators.  I would be submitting the complaint form.

If Sue is to go into hospital again (hope not) it might be a good idea to write down the who, where and what Sue has organised so you don't have to worry if an idiot tells you otherwise. You definately do not need go through what you just have again.

[ashjoma]

In my experience, social workers are very helpful and fantastic. Both when mum was sick the first time and when she had a massive stroke and died 4 days later

enquire about a rehabilitation hospital

My mother went into one for a few weeks after a major operation when her health first deteriorated, and this was fantastic in getting her fit enough to come home.

The one Mum was in was Greenwich Hospital near RNS hospital in Sydney

Excellent, Mum was very happy there


.

[rabbitearbandicoot]

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@ashjoma wrote:
In my experience, social workers are very helpful and fantastic. Both when mum was sick the first time and when she had a massive stroke and died 4 days later

enquire about a rehabilitation hospital

My mother went into one for a few weeks after a major operation when her health first deteriorated, and this was fantastic in getting her fit enough to come home.

The one Mum was in was Greenwich Hospital near RNS hospital in Sydney

Excellent, Mum was very happy there


.

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last time she was in, I would say the same - in the hospital while she waited for a place in Rehab, and better still when she actually went into the rehab hospital - also after she came home, the physios, OT and personal assistance was good - now that it is organised, I have no doubt that it will be good too - I hope so anyway.