ElizabethPurkiss
Member
- Messages
- 14
This is somewhat of a rant - may apply to others and give them ideas as well, but may not - I don't know!
I help a lady with getting some care - she is mid 50s, had diabetes for almost 50 years. Very brittle form of diabetes - frequently having ambulances in to deal with hypos etc. She lives on her own and has no family. Friends help as and when they can.
Eventually, after a hospital stay, we were able to get carers to pop in during the day to just check that she hadn't gone unconscious - she has no warning of impending hypos. She is also allergic to various forms of insulin.
Following a need to increase her care levels - as friends have become less able to take her out etc. - we have had such a battle.
Initially social worker was lovely - yes yes we can give her the world - quickly was replaced with - this is a medical issue not a social care issue.
In one sense she is right - diabetes is a medical issue - however, the issues that she has have become a social care issue. After banging my head a few times against a brick wall I had had enough.
I wrote a letter to a local radio presenter (not naming names or giving any personal information about the lady) who is good at stirring and looking into things for people - haven't had any response to that.
BUT I copied the letter to the local councillor for adult health and social care, to her local councillor and to her MP. All those have replied!
I did not identify the lady at all - however, the councillor for adult health and social care must have spoken to the social workers who immediately identified who she was! We are now beginning to progress the things she needs in place a bit more. Still some way to go but it is a start!
The thing that frustrates me is that I had to get so, almost nasty, to get anywhere - I don't do 'nasty'! I suppose I feel that if someone has diabetes and have various problems caused by the diabetes - it shouldn't be so difficult to access the health and social care. Particularly type 1 - which just strikes where it will - this lady did nothing as a child that would have contributed to her becoming diabetic (unlike me as a type 2 who is overweight and trying to deal with it!). She just is diabetic and arising out of that she has a number of needs - it should be easier, not harder for her to get the help she needs.
On the other side - if you are someone who is trying to get help either for yourself or a friend/family member - keep persisting - contact councillors, contact MP's, even contact local radio stations! Things suddenly move faster when you do!
I help a lady with getting some care - she is mid 50s, had diabetes for almost 50 years. Very brittle form of diabetes - frequently having ambulances in to deal with hypos etc. She lives on her own and has no family. Friends help as and when they can.
Eventually, after a hospital stay, we were able to get carers to pop in during the day to just check that she hadn't gone unconscious - she has no warning of impending hypos. She is also allergic to various forms of insulin.
Following a need to increase her care levels - as friends have become less able to take her out etc. - we have had such a battle.
Initially social worker was lovely - yes yes we can give her the world - quickly was replaced with - this is a medical issue not a social care issue.
In one sense she is right - diabetes is a medical issue - however, the issues that she has have become a social care issue. After banging my head a few times against a brick wall I had had enough.
I wrote a letter to a local radio presenter (not naming names or giving any personal information about the lady) who is good at stirring and looking into things for people - haven't had any response to that.
BUT I copied the letter to the local councillor for adult health and social care, to her local councillor and to her MP. All those have replied!
I did not identify the lady at all - however, the councillor for adult health and social care must have spoken to the social workers who immediately identified who she was! We are now beginning to progress the things she needs in place a bit more. Still some way to go but it is a start!
The thing that frustrates me is that I had to get so, almost nasty, to get anywhere - I don't do 'nasty'! I suppose I feel that if someone has diabetes and have various problems caused by the diabetes - it shouldn't be so difficult to access the health and social care. Particularly type 1 - which just strikes where it will - this lady did nothing as a child that would have contributed to her becoming diabetic (unlike me as a type 2 who is overweight and trying to deal with it!). She just is diabetic and arising out of that she has a number of needs - it should be easier, not harder for her to get the help she needs.
On the other side - if you are someone who is trying to get help either for yourself or a friend/family member - keep persisting - contact councillors, contact MP's, even contact local radio stations! Things suddenly move faster when you do!