Campaign for better disabled medical care

Wibbles

I am fed up with my GP surgery and local hospital - not recognising that as a non-speaking / poor mobility patient - I need the extra support that my condition demands

Examples include the fact that I am apparently unable to book a FACE-TO-FACE appointment with a GP - they ALWAYS want to a phone triage first

And similar with hospitals - I make it clear when I request an appointment - but they always tell me that I MUST phone first...

I have been to appointments in the long distant past at hospitals without access (no working lifts to first floor offices), which my wheelchair can't access - leaving me to struggle to walk/crawl to the offjce

Can SCOPE not start a campaign for better disabled medical treatment ?

Ross_Alumni

Thanks for starting this thread @Wibbles, and sorry to hear of the issues you have faced.

I think healthcare certainly needs to be more accessible, and that it fits in to a wider issue that Scope is constantly calling for, that being greater accessibility of services and locations so that more disabled people can access them. Of course, a specific campaign would highlight the issues with healthcare specifically, such as how Scope's recent Let's Play Fair campaign highlighted accessibility challenges in playgrounds, so thank you for your feedback  

Wibbles

My dentist does not offer accessible access - its up a flight of steep stone steps and even when I climb the steps - the corridor is not wide enough for wheelchairs !!

I have an appointment this afternoon !

This is basically illegal but the shortage of dentists means that I have no choice other than to somehow struggle up the stairs and crawl along the corridor !

Under the Equality Act 2010 it is unlawful for service providers to treat disabled people less favourably because they are disabled. The service provider must not indirectly discriminate against a disabled person unless there is a clear reason to do so.

The "clear reason" - will probably be that the building is poorly designed

Which is an excuse rather than a reason

Wibbles

I have a sigmoidiscopy next Tuesday and the hospital department carrying out the procedure refuses point blank to email me with details 
They know that I don't /can't speak on the phone. I have told them many times yet 
They insist on phoning me - which they did on Friday (again) 
Would this be classed as breaking the equalities Act 2010 not to allow a disabled person communication as they prefer and require? 

poppy123456

If your dentist is an oder buidling then disabled access in the building itself isn't always possible. I don't think it's anything to do with treating disabled people any less favourable. This is very often the issue with older buidlings.

Wibbles

Teddybear12 said:

Hi @Wibbles I had a Colonoscopy on the 6th August 2022. I was told by text this had been arranged, this also included a message saying I could view online drdoctor.thirdparty.nhs.uk/  once you go to this they will sent you a text message with a code to access. I do not know if your area uses this. Then all the information was sent by post. I did get a phone call the day before just to confirm I was still ok to have it done. I do not think ordinary email is secure enough for the NHS.

I have had emails from.other hospital departments before though 

SueHeath

Sounds very frustrating for you @Wibbles, x

Wibbles

I had my long awaited Sigmoidoscopy on Tuesday - which went well - despite peeing everywhere - when the camera was pushed up my rear end....my blood pressure went up to 180 during the procedure !

There were no signs of any polyps in the length that was looked at. It was nice and smooth and pink.

I have a Cystoscopy today - after a 3 month wait - I had a phone call yesterday after a cancellation...

This involves a CAMERA being shoved through my urethra to examine my bladder

And on Monday - I have a GP appointment, to look at my Rotator cuff shoulder problem

Funny how all of these things come at the same time

SueHeath

Sounds like they've got to you on the waiting list @Wibbles hope every thing goes well. 

L_Volunteer

Thanks for sharing that with us @MissiVt. I think it is important that whilst you acknowledge problems, you also acknowledge benefits compared to other countries! 

Wibbles

The cystoscopy has not shown any problems either
In fact - it has proven that my prostate is undersized if anything which is not what they had previously assumed!
But they still want to do an op on it
No idea what or when
But I still pee for England once I start I can't stop

SueHeath

That's one good thing then @Wibbles hope you don't have to wait long for your next lot of treatment, is that all the tests done now ?

L_Volunteer

How are you feeling about all of these updates at the moment @Wibbles? 

Wibbles

It's happened again !

Urology have (over 3 months after having a Cystoscopy (which  itself took 3 months to be offered)) - offered me a consultation regarding the next steps (TURP or UROLIFT) - By way of a PHONE CALL !

They are aware that I can't speak on the phone - I had to ask for this and told them "NO PHONE CALLS - POOR SPEECH"

Anyway, I have rejected this and await the offer of a face-to-face - Probably in another 3 months !

Both of the procedures appear to improve urine flow rate but I keep on telling them - that's not the problem - the problem is TOO MUCH flow - that I can't stop once it starts !

L_Volunteer

Oh no @Wibbles. How frustrating that it has happened again, even when you have told them otherwise 

Not least because now you need to wait to even longer for them to listen to you! Hopefully, they will listen to you soon and provide you with the support and approach you need and deserve.

In the meantime, please don't hesitate to let us know if there's anything we can do to support you. Even if that's just providing you with a listening ear. 

You don't have to face this, or anything else, alone if you don't want to. Take care for now and we will look forward to, hopefully, hearing from you again soon 

Wibbles

UROLOGY also have some important info incorrect
They say in a previous letter that I struggle to pee which is nonsense - I cannot stop. Peeing - I emailed Urology yesterday to inform them....
No response 

SueHeath

Flipping nightmare with some of the clinics at the moment @Wibbles hopefully you'l get sorted soon, x

L_Volunteer

@Wibbles Oh no. This sounds so frustrating - too much inaccuracy going on here! Hopefully, you will receive a response and a correction soon. In the meantime, is there anything that might make this feel more manageable for you? We are all here for you and listening to you 

@SueHeath - Are you experiencing issues with some of the clinics at the moment too? This sounds really difficult and we are all here for you and listening to you if you would like to share more with us 

SueHeath

Mine is just the waiting time for me @L_Volunteer but Hubby and middle son have trouble with the clinics they have to attend once again time spans - then when they do have communication it's like the person their speaking to either no's nothing about their problem or just jolly's them along because they can't get seen in the time span the consaltent said he wants to see them. It's all very frustrating x

L_Volunteer

Oh no @SueHeath. Yes, waiting times can be really difficult too. 

I can hear how your hubby and middle son are also experiencing trouble with the clinics. And, of course, you are experiencing this and the frustration along with them 

Wibbles

Update

I received a letter from UROLOGY at my local hospital, informing me that a TELEPHONE consultation had been arranged for me in 3 months time - this is totally unsuitable, since I cannot speak on the phone

The last time I had a urology consultation on the phone - the consultant was on for 1 1/2 minutes and left me totally uncertain as to what was going to happen - He also got some vital facts wrong such as that I struggle to pee - the opposite is true !

I have told them many times that I need face to face appointments and it is in my summary care record

They want to do an op on my waterworks but cannot even get the basics right

I don't think so

Complaint letter coming