Draft letter to Mr Streeting

Cantilip

I might not bother to send this particular eruption, which is somewhat abrupt, but I think I shall pursue the matter through my nice new Green MP

Can’t you get to the doctor, dear? Your problem. Shrug

There was only one catch and that was Catch-22. My legs have to be working properly in order that I can access any treatment to get them working properly.

I just need a bit of extra support, for which I am happy to pay and I still can’t find it. What is wrong with this country?

I am not about to sit here losing the use of my legs because no-one can be ars - bothered to help. There may well be older, less sassy people who are simply left to rot. I just want some competent patient person to turn up and guide me into a vehicle, help me out and then help me into the surgery. What is hard about it? It should not be beyond the wit of man or woman for the NHS to run a functional transport service for which there is a fee.

The sites of private medical transport companies are full of worldwide repatriation and stretchers. I just need to totter to my GP, whom I asked about transport and got a dismissive and unhelpful reply – contact my taxi service. yeah, if I’d thought I could manage a cab, I shouldn’t have asked about transport. This is called logic.

The NHS expects patients to make our own way - mobility problems are so rare, it is practically inconceivable that we can’t? Hey, family or friends can drive us. If the vehicle is usable. My cousin lives nearby but does not drive. What planet are these people on? As a single disabled person I am of course aware we’re all supposed to be surrounded by magic helper elves whose existence absolves others from having to do anything. Doubtless elves are supposed to carry me to the surgery.

Very well. I shall hire an electric wheelchair to attend the appointment. This will put me in the neat box wheelchair user and all will be well.

But just explain to me please why all the following is solely my problem, down to me to solve?

I’m 68, I have an autoimmune disease treated with Prednisolone. I have severe spinal curvature and walk with a rollator. That’s the background. Normally I can cope with taxis. Additionally I now have a problem with my right leg. I dither over standing. When I do stand I freeze while my leg gives way. I gingerly edge one foot towards the other. So I may not be able to stand with any speed and my leg is so weak I am not sure I can manage a ramp. My legs may not support me. My hands may not grip firmly. I cannot guarantee at the moment I have to leave the taxi basic functionality though it will return. It may take 5 minutes or more for my leg to start to recover itself, being for some time weak and stiff. Eventually I can adequately walk. I have just had an acute pain in my wrist (such things are random). If someone grabbed it. I’d scream. I do not want to deliver my body into the hands of the untrained. In short getting to my feet and starting to move is a time-consuming and nerve-wracking business. I don’t know why this is. That is why I need to see a doctor. Preferably before I fall and they have to send an ambulance to cart me off to A+E and I have again today nearly fallen.

Oh and I have no pain relief. The Prednisolone means paracetamol spikes my blood pressure. I have ‘tested’ three times out of desperation, most recently 173/something. Woo-hoo, another route to A+E. And ( am very congested, though no other respiratory symptoms. Of course I’m not desperately ill, merely overall unwell, but if I’d thought I could manage a cab, I shouldn’t have asked about transport. This is called logic.

If my arms and hands were in full working order I could cope with a problem with my leg. If my legs were working properly I could cope with problems in arms and hands. I cannot handle ¾ limbs being dubious.

I’m not going to go down the path of pain, embarrassment, being injured by a well meaning but untrained cabbie trying to get me to my feet, standing sobbing and frightened on the kerb, unable to move, arriving in front of the doctor shaking and in tears. I have cancelled appointments because I can’t get there, hung on in hoping for whatever it is to get better and it hasn’t.

Rachel_Scope

Hi @Cantilip. This is really well-written and it you've made clear what your difficulties are. It does seem wrong that a GP surgery doesn't offer transport, as you've said, taxi's aren't always an option. I'm so sorry for the difficulties you face. Your letter is powerful and it would be wonderful to see some changes.

Cantilip

@Rachel_Scope Thank you! At the mo about to go up like a box of fireworks having just discovered another example of magic helper elf syndrome! A company that hires mobility equipment coos mightily over how it covers all your needs and blah but when it comes to it they want to dump a huge box on me, which I have to open and unpack carefully and keep the box in perfect condition to return the hired item and they won't even bother to offer a specific delivery slot so that I can ask someone to come round and help.