Jan 2010
NHS wheechair service sucks
26/January/2010 04:08 PM Filed in: Health
Archived from October 2006
Here we go again... this saga started on 10th October.
Mission - to obtain a new pressure cushion for my wheelchair. 16x 16 and 3 inches deep called a Trans Flow 600 or equivalent.
Can not find one on the internet to buy privately - they are over £100. I would buy one myself but can't be sure it is the right kind and the most suitable type.
Previously: HERTFORDSHIRE 1) Told OT from social services 2) Showed her the type and gave size 3) She agreed one of the same would do the job and within a few days got the cushion for me.
Compare this to KENT!
I asked my OT (you may remember him from the door saga).
1) He give me local number of NHS wheelchair service.
2) I try them and they only answer phones before midday... I try several times and over the next weeks eventually got through a few days ago.
3) They said that my GP has to fill in a form to send to them with details about my impairment, wheelchair etc (not that they know this).
4) Phone GP - on holiday so I wait to hear from them.
5) District nurse calls I explain the story so far - they tell me to call my OT.... (I think we have been here before). She offer to phone him for me.
Today
6) District nurse calls again - she has called the NHS wheelchair service who need some details.
7) I phone the wheelchair service back up again. They can not give a cushion until they have records from the place who gave me my NHS chair. They need to know model and size of seat....
I explain this was some 15 years ago in Wales - they can not give a cushion without paper work saying the model and the dimensions.
I tell them the model and size of seat.
They want the paper work from previous NHS Trust.
NHS consults with senior manager.
They now want to know where my last cushion came from - that was HERTS - oh.
8) They phone up Herts and they have not heard of me...
It turns out they didn't know I have been married and were asking under the wrong name.
NHS tell me they may have to call my chair an NHS chair in the absence of any paperwork.
I don't care what they call it. I just want a [bleeeep] cushion. I tell them this politely.
9) District Nurse calls - she has to complete the referral form to the NHS clinic (remember this from step 3?)
Nurse does not know size of wheelchair or anything about me - I tell her on the phone. She is very nice and is trying to help. NHS staff sound patronising and un helpful.
10) She writes it on the form and sends it to the NHS staff who I have already told this to several times today.
Now I wait to hear from the NHS Wheelchair people again.....
In the meantime I get a numb bum, frustrated and sore... gee thanks NHS - great service.
Part 2 14 April 2007
Since last September you will remember I was trying to get s plain old cushion to save my numb bum.
I eventually got to test out a load down at the wheelchair clinic and they said they would order one. Because it is contoured it won't fit in my wheelchair without a new backrest - also on order I thought.
About a month ago I wrote to ask where my cushion was as it had been about 3 months since it was on order... they were just about to come and see me (yeahh right). Anyway, by the off chance I was at home and they said they would come up with it.
Whoopeeee I thought.... alas my heart sank when they came in with a new electric wheelchair. - So, they buy a new electric wheelchair at goodness knows what cost compared to trying something with my existing wheelchair (i.e. a new back rest and cushion). The logic was that my wheelchair was old and I needed a new one anyway - yet I had told them I was in the process of doing up a private chair I had bought! Besides this the wheelchair had no head rest, was too high for my PA to lift me up and down from, would not fit under the desk and other places I work from - and so the list goes on! It was the most unsuitable set up for someone with MD and I wouldn't have been able to get in my car to go to work!
Yet - why is it I felt bad about sending it away and suggesting they went to try and find a backrest... because disabled people fight tooth and nail to get an electric wheelchair for years. The system is CRAP.
I even offered to buy the cushion privately - but that was frowned upon because I was officially their responsibility for health, safety and posture (as they kept pointing out) as long as I sat in an NHS chair . What about me - don't I know my body and lifestyle better than anyone - and can't I be my own responsibility?
So it is now April - month 8 of having a numb bum.... Hubby is fast working on my new chair because as soon as that is ready I can 'go private' and they will just hand over the cushion for free!
Here we go again... this saga started on 10th October.
Mission - to obtain a new pressure cushion for my wheelchair. 16x 16 and 3 inches deep called a Trans Flow 600 or equivalent.
Can not find one on the internet to buy privately - they are over £100. I would buy one myself but can't be sure it is the right kind and the most suitable type.
Previously: HERTFORDSHIRE 1) Told OT from social services 2) Showed her the type and gave size 3) She agreed one of the same would do the job and within a few days got the cushion for me.
Compare this to KENT!
I asked my OT (you may remember him from the door saga).
1) He give me local number of NHS wheelchair service.
2) I try them and they only answer phones before midday... I try several times and over the next weeks eventually got through a few days ago.
3) They said that my GP has to fill in a form to send to them with details about my impairment, wheelchair etc (not that they know this).
4) Phone GP - on holiday so I wait to hear from them.
5) District nurse calls I explain the story so far - they tell me to call my OT.... (I think we have been here before). She offer to phone him for me.
Today
6) District nurse calls again - she has called the NHS wheelchair service who need some details.
7) I phone the wheelchair service back up again. They can not give a cushion until they have records from the place who gave me my NHS chair. They need to know model and size of seat....
I explain this was some 15 years ago in Wales - they can not give a cushion without paper work saying the model and the dimensions.
I tell them the model and size of seat.
They want the paper work from previous NHS Trust.
NHS consults with senior manager.
They now want to know where my last cushion came from - that was HERTS - oh.
8) They phone up Herts and they have not heard of me...
It turns out they didn't know I have been married and were asking under the wrong name.
NHS tell me they may have to call my chair an NHS chair in the absence of any paperwork.
I don't care what they call it. I just want a [bleeeep] cushion. I tell them this politely.
9) District Nurse calls - she has to complete the referral form to the NHS clinic (remember this from step 3?)
Nurse does not know size of wheelchair or anything about me - I tell her on the phone. She is very nice and is trying to help. NHS staff sound patronising and un helpful.
10) She writes it on the form and sends it to the NHS staff who I have already told this to several times today.
Now I wait to hear from the NHS Wheelchair people again.....
In the meantime I get a numb bum, frustrated and sore... gee thanks NHS - great service.
Part 2 14 April 2007
Since last September you will remember I was trying to get s plain old cushion to save my numb bum.
I eventually got to test out a load down at the wheelchair clinic and they said they would order one. Because it is contoured it won't fit in my wheelchair without a new backrest - also on order I thought.
About a month ago I wrote to ask where my cushion was as it had been about 3 months since it was on order... they were just about to come and see me (yeahh right). Anyway, by the off chance I was at home and they said they would come up with it.
Whoopeeee I thought.... alas my heart sank when they came in with a new electric wheelchair. - So, they buy a new electric wheelchair at goodness knows what cost compared to trying something with my existing wheelchair (i.e. a new back rest and cushion). The logic was that my wheelchair was old and I needed a new one anyway - yet I had told them I was in the process of doing up a private chair I had bought! Besides this the wheelchair had no head rest, was too high for my PA to lift me up and down from, would not fit under the desk and other places I work from - and so the list goes on! It was the most unsuitable set up for someone with MD and I wouldn't have been able to get in my car to go to work!
Yet - why is it I felt bad about sending it away and suggesting they went to try and find a backrest... because disabled people fight tooth and nail to get an electric wheelchair for years. The system is CRAP.
I even offered to buy the cushion privately - but that was frowned upon because I was officially their responsibility for health, safety and posture (as they kept pointing out) as long as I sat in an NHS chair . What about me - don't I know my body and lifestyle better than anyone - and can't I be my own responsibility?
So it is now April - month 8 of having a numb bum.... Hubby is fast working on my new chair because as soon as that is ready I can 'go private' and they will just hand over the cushion for free!
Loo story with wobbles
Archive from 2006
I noticed a recent article where a woman in Chicago went to use the loo in her local book store and is now suing them
In Chicago, a woman claims an unsecured toilet seat in a Borders Bookstore caused her to fall and become “permanently disfigured.”
The seat “shifted to the side,” causing her to be thrown onto the tile floor. The suit said she landed on her bum, causing her to suffer “multiple spine injuries, including the need for multiple neurosurgical spine surgeries.”
It made me recall the time when I was at work in Ashford and assured my meeting room had 1 accessible loo. On arrival I saw a sign 'out of order' I enquired and was dismayed at having to stay there for many hours with no loo to use!
A maintenance guy came back and said oh don't worry, it's just that the seat wobbles as it is broke (giving me a demo of a very wobbly seat that was totally unsafe). Considering I have no balance at the best of times I resigned myself to the fact that I would have to cross my legs. He then said something like 'it's not that far to fall anyway... I'm sure it will be ok'. Eh hmmm. Guess I'll be wetting myself then...
I noticed a recent article where a woman in Chicago went to use the loo in her local book store and is now suing them
In Chicago, a woman claims an unsecured toilet seat in a Borders Bookstore caused her to fall and become “permanently disfigured.”
The seat “shifted to the side,” causing her to be thrown onto the tile floor. The suit said she landed on her bum, causing her to suffer “multiple spine injuries, including the need for multiple neurosurgical spine surgeries.”
It made me recall the time when I was at work in Ashford and assured my meeting room had 1 accessible loo. On arrival I saw a sign 'out of order' I enquired and was dismayed at having to stay there for many hours with no loo to use!
A maintenance guy came back and said oh don't worry, it's just that the seat wobbles as it is broke (giving me a demo of a very wobbly seat that was totally unsafe). Considering I have no balance at the best of times I resigned myself to the fact that I would have to cross my legs. He then said something like 'it's not that far to fall anyway... I'm sure it will be ok'. Eh hmmm. Guess I'll be wetting myself then...
Birmingham - short break.
26/January/2010 03:49 PM Filed in: Leisure
From the archive - Birmingham 2006
So why on earth Buuurrm-ing-am. Well we had tickets to see 'I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue' (BBC Radio 4) on the Sunday night so we made a weekend of it. Friday night we said 'Tom Tom' take us to our Holiday Inn. Well actually, we said take us to 'x' road - and it did (but not the right one - an hour and a half away from the hotel... eh hmmm [cough]).
We arrived very late, checked in and went to our room. It wasn't accessible - normal room.
Back we went and without a word the guy at reception handed over another key card. After a trek, once again, down the corridor, the room wasn't the twin we had booked...back again. Anyway, basically the booking got messed up somehow so we stayed in the twin. Not even an apology.
Good and Bad.
How did I rate this room. Bathroom was half of the room next door converted and was big enough for a bath and a shower - but only a bath and oodles of room. Not a bad room really. Just 0/10 for friendliness of reception - shame on you.
Saturday we went to the Black Country Museum. It rained for the majority of the day. Accessibility is as expected for a Victorian recreated museum (bump bump bump.... oh how I love cobbles). They did have portable ramps to go where no Victorian could have gone before and we even donned on a hard hart and went down the mine. It was so funny. The chap (guide) kept referring to me as 'the chair' in a really Brummy accents. Every time we stopped to hear the 'story' of that part of the mine complete with resin pit pony and figures, he signposted each member of our party to a particular viewing spot so 'the chair' could see. Each time we stopped we had this loud ushering of people into their places. You had to be there - it was very John Cleese. My hat kept falling down to cover my eyes and I couldn't see anything as we trundled through the narrow passages.
Sunday we basically stayed inside until it was time to go the city centre to 'see' our Radio Show. It was really funny and a good night.
Monday we checked out - and the tried to charge us £600 for three nights!! Finally having argued my case with another guest who had been charged too much, we paid up and headed back home.
So... that was Birmingham!
So why on earth Buuurrm-ing-am. Well we had tickets to see 'I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue' (BBC Radio 4) on the Sunday night so we made a weekend of it. Friday night we said 'Tom Tom' take us to our Holiday Inn. Well actually, we said take us to 'x' road - and it did (but not the right one - an hour and a half away from the hotel... eh hmmm [cough]).
We arrived very late, checked in and went to our room. It wasn't accessible - normal room.
Back we went and without a word the guy at reception handed over another key card. After a trek, once again, down the corridor, the room wasn't the twin we had booked...back again. Anyway, basically the booking got messed up somehow so we stayed in the twin. Not even an apology.
Good and Bad.
How did I rate this room. Bathroom was half of the room next door converted and was big enough for a bath and a shower - but only a bath and oodles of room. Not a bad room really. Just 0/10 for friendliness of reception - shame on you.
Saturday we went to the Black Country Museum. It rained for the majority of the day. Accessibility is as expected for a Victorian recreated museum (bump bump bump.... oh how I love cobbles). They did have portable ramps to go where no Victorian could have gone before and we even donned on a hard hart and went down the mine. It was so funny. The chap (guide) kept referring to me as 'the chair' in a really Brummy accents. Every time we stopped to hear the 'story' of that part of the mine complete with resin pit pony and figures, he signposted each member of our party to a particular viewing spot so 'the chair' could see. Each time we stopped we had this loud ushering of people into their places. You had to be there - it was very John Cleese. My hat kept falling down to cover my eyes and I couldn't see anything as we trundled through the narrow passages.
Sunday we basically stayed inside until it was time to go the city centre to 'see' our Radio Show. It was really funny and a good night.
Monday we checked out - and the tried to charge us £600 for three nights!! Finally having argued my case with another guest who had been charged too much, we paid up and headed back home.
So... that was Birmingham!
Door Hell - unbelievable!
26/January/2010 03:47 PM Filed in: Social Care
Door Hell - from 31st July to 7th July 2008
31 July 2006
Today the door fitters from JLC installed our new front door and side panel. It looks really nice and tomorrow they will automate it. Kent contract with JLC to do these so they are arriving tomorrow. Kevin had to take the day of work because I had a meeting at work. JLC only told us last Friday afternoon they were coming so it was rather short notice.
1 August 2006
Well, this guy arrives today and basically didn't have a clue what he was doing. He spent from early morning until the end of the working day trying to make out all was well followed by running out to his van and saying it was f**k*d up. He spent all day on the phone and reading the instruction manual.
We were having a system with a pin code panel on the outside so that my PAs can let themselves in, remote buttons for me to press to open it, and the mechanism itself. The door was pre installed with part of the mechanisms - the wrong part so the door would not lock. We had to revert to a key for the night and he said a new one would have to be put in. The window company JLC used, last night, parked a door (large door and glass) in our hallway for the engineer to pick up - only he knew nothing about it. He said he doesn't normally fit the type I was having installed and the whole thing is a mess. He is coming back on Thursday to put in the new parts.
3 August 2006
The same guy came back today armed with the new parts. He installed these but then the door was opening and the lock was activating in the open position... He said it basically is caused by the air pressure - in layman’s terms the arm mechanism that opens the door is not strong enough. Someone else will be in tomorrow to install the new arm mechanism and finish the job.
Aghhhh.
3 August 2006 - 6.30 pm
The electrician contracted from KCC arrived at 5.30 for a 15 minutes job that took an hour. He has now put in a spur (for connecting door to the mains).
Up until now we have had a mains extension leeds trailing across the hall way into the porch.
4 August 2006
7 August 2006
Today Kevin is calling them and they have received an e-mail about our complaint.... we shall see what happens
24 August 2006
On Monday JLC visited to look at the problem areas and apologised profusely. Rest assured someone would be back on Tuesday to fix all the problems. So Tuesday came and yes most of it was done... until the engineer saw that the wrong key pad had been fitted to open the door from the outside... Finally on Wednesday morning (causing me to be 30 minutes late for work when the job was supposed to be done) the engineer was back and fitted the key pad. Hurrah... it is now working.
JLC also sent a bouquet of flowers to say sorry!
28 August 2006
Guess what... strange bleeping noises were heard coming from the door... on investigation this was the signal for a low battery and sure enough the back up had failed and also the door would now not lock without a manual key... JLC are coming again next week to have a look.
1 September 2006
There was an unknown error and 'Dan' the man got the door locking and disarmed the beeping noise so that next week a new unit could be fitted.....
5 September 2006
JLC were back again this morning, replaced the unit and I now have new remote switches which are my equivalent of a door key I can keep on me. Nice chap and door now works.
By 4.15 the beeping noise was back..... changing the unit hadn't worked so something else is the problem... JLC are apologising yet again.... is this going to be another bouquet of flowers.....
14 April 2007
Well - they never turned up for their 6 months check to see if the Door is working - and by hec it's got a mind of it's own.
Sometimes it doesn't let you in, then it won't let you out, then it shuts quickly so you have to run out.... you name it - every day it throws up something wrong. The battery back up isn't working and .... well we will be writing to them soon....
26 April 2007
Well - we have fixed the 'kicking you out persona' that the door took on. All it took was a bit of elbow grease (well just the grease actually) along the opener mechanism at the top... yeahhh.
One down.....
1 May 2007
Spoke to soon - the oil has not fixed the problem and it's as cranky as ever.....
14 January 2008
Well, since my last post, I think they have been here at least 4 times to try and fix the door which is as wonky as ever. It is driving my husband mad. First of all someone came, had a look and said he would order a new part. Came again, part didn't work. Said they would change the whole unit - returned some weeks later with only a replacement logic board. The problem was even worse now.
One day they said they said they would arrive at 8.30 but didn't turn up until 4!
He said 'Oh dear, I don't know what's wrong it it ' and again said they would replace the unit. That was a few weeks ago. Then an e-mail to say the part had to come from Spain and could take another 3 weeks..... and so it continues.
JLC are useless - never get a door from them.
10 February 2008
Well, the part that should have taken 3 weeks to come hasn't arrived - several weeks later - still no date as to when our wonky door will be fixed... hmmmmm.
15 February 2008
Today JLC turned up to fit in a new controlled - you will remember this as the one from Spain due weeks ago. Well the new one didn't work, the whole day was a fiasco and at one point the door developed a seizure and opened and closed in short stutters for some time! Alarms were sounding and the locking mechanism didn't work. Eventually he said he got it going - tried it many times and it did lock - but he said he knew it didn't always and there was nothing he could due as it was due to 'the door seal' and that it wasn't meant to work on a PVC door. Why is it, I asked, that this door was part of a 'door and opening system' which was put in together? Of course he had no answer for that.
Anyway, by the time Kevin got home it didn't lock - so when the door closes someone has to push it the last inch so the automatic locks bolt in. Also, the door has lost the ability to stay open e.g. when bringing shopping in, which he said was working - yet it isn't a function of the new system!!!
So, Kevin has told them once again that this is just not good enough and we await for them to return with the purchase of a 'new programmer' to make the door push with a greater force and close on its own like it is supposed to. So.... that would be the programmer they brought with them on an earlier visit which they now say they have to order as they have never had one....
to be continued...
03 March 2008
Turned up again today and fitted a second box next to the first one. Why - to make up for what box one should do if it functioned correctly.
They were also supposed to use a programmed to tell the door to close with the correct amount of force to actually shut - He brought the wrong connecter... I guess they will be back and we will be onto part 17...
02 June 2008
Today we told JLC that the door doesn’t reliably close every time. When going out we still have to wait until the door closes to be sure that our house is secure. Kevin and I are very unhappy with the level of service we have received from JLC Automation Ltd.
We feel that we have given them every opportunity to rectify the problem. However, after eighteen visits from their engineers and nearly two years of worry and hassle we have decided that enough is enough. We feel that this shows their company is obviously incapable of providing us with a reliable door opening/closing system.
Because of this, we have been forced to look elsewhere for a system that will work reliably and close, and lock, the front door consistently and securely. We are shortly going to have their door opener and controls removed and replaced at considerable expense to ourselves.
Obviously we are very unhappy that we are being forced to do this, but we just want this saga of incompetence and poor workmanship to come to an end once and for all. We will certainly not be recommending this company to other customers looking for such a system and are saddened that other disabled people and their families will have no other option if reliant on NHS/Social Care provision that contract with JLC.
07July 2008
Yahoo
This week marked a momentous occassions - the JLC parts for the automatic door were ripped out or modified by the new company.
What a difference. Polite and competent engineers, a door that works and several features my hubby is dancing around about in terms of functionality.
The end of an 18 part saga that started back in July 2006 we feel is finally over.
31 July 2006
Today the door fitters from JLC installed our new front door and side panel. It looks really nice and tomorrow they will automate it. Kent contract with JLC to do these so they are arriving tomorrow. Kevin had to take the day of work because I had a meeting at work. JLC only told us last Friday afternoon they were coming so it was rather short notice.
1 August 2006
Well, this guy arrives today and basically didn't have a clue what he was doing. He spent from early morning until the end of the working day trying to make out all was well followed by running out to his van and saying it was f**k*d up. He spent all day on the phone and reading the instruction manual.
We were having a system with a pin code panel on the outside so that my PAs can let themselves in, remote buttons for me to press to open it, and the mechanism itself. The door was pre installed with part of the mechanisms - the wrong part so the door would not lock. We had to revert to a key for the night and he said a new one would have to be put in. The window company JLC used, last night, parked a door (large door and glass) in our hallway for the engineer to pick up - only he knew nothing about it. He said he doesn't normally fit the type I was having installed and the whole thing is a mess. He is coming back on Thursday to put in the new parts.
3 August 2006
The same guy came back today armed with the new parts. He installed these but then the door was opening and the lock was activating in the open position... He said it basically is caused by the air pressure - in layman’s terms the arm mechanism that opens the door is not strong enough. Someone else will be in tomorrow to install the new arm mechanism and finish the job.
Aghhhh.
3 August 2006 - 6.30 pm
The electrician contracted from KCC arrived at 5.30 for a 15 minutes job that took an hour. He has now put in a spur (for connecting door to the mains).
Up until now we have had a mains extension leeds trailing across the hall way into the porch.
4 August 2006
Today the stronger arm was fitted by a second engineer. He showed me timing on the door like how long it could stay open etc for me to choose. At the end of the day he told me it was all fitted and working. Alas I believed him, signed his book and sent him on his merry way. Kevin later discovered:
- The unit is still plugged into an extension lead (trailing through the hall and acting as a trip hazard) even though the fused spur was fitted by the electrician on Thursday.
- The batteries inside the psu box are not connected hence we think we may not have emergency back up.
- There are two holes in our new door where the wrong opener was fitted.
- Part of the trim above the door
has been cracked and where it has been cut to fit
the second opener it has been
mutilated rather than being cut neatly as it was with the first opener. - The sealant around the door frame has been removed and not replaced.
- There are holes through the wall that have not been sealed.
- The switch to hold the door open
is on the wrong side of the opener so you can't
reach it when the door is open. It is also
a key switch rather that a 'normal' type (the engineer could not get the other switch to work). - We have been left a master remote for the locca unit but no instructions.
- The lid to the psu box is held closed with a wood screw rather than the proper one.
7 August 2006
Today Kevin is calling them and they have received an e-mail about our complaint.... we shall see what happens
24 August 2006
On Monday JLC visited to look at the problem areas and apologised profusely. Rest assured someone would be back on Tuesday to fix all the problems. So Tuesday came and yes most of it was done... until the engineer saw that the wrong key pad had been fitted to open the door from the outside... Finally on Wednesday morning (causing me to be 30 minutes late for work when the job was supposed to be done) the engineer was back and fitted the key pad. Hurrah... it is now working.
JLC also sent a bouquet of flowers to say sorry!
28 August 2006
Guess what... strange bleeping noises were heard coming from the door... on investigation this was the signal for a low battery and sure enough the back up had failed and also the door would now not lock without a manual key... JLC are coming again next week to have a look.
1 September 2006
There was an unknown error and 'Dan' the man got the door locking and disarmed the beeping noise so that next week a new unit could be fitted.....
5 September 2006
JLC were back again this morning, replaced the unit and I now have new remote switches which are my equivalent of a door key I can keep on me. Nice chap and door now works.
By 4.15 the beeping noise was back..... changing the unit hadn't worked so something else is the problem... JLC are apologising yet again.... is this going to be another bouquet of flowers.....
14 April 2007
Well - they never turned up for their 6 months check to see if the Door is working - and by hec it's got a mind of it's own.
Sometimes it doesn't let you in, then it won't let you out, then it shuts quickly so you have to run out.... you name it - every day it throws up something wrong. The battery back up isn't working and .... well we will be writing to them soon....
26 April 2007
Well - we have fixed the 'kicking you out persona' that the door took on. All it took was a bit of elbow grease (well just the grease actually) along the opener mechanism at the top... yeahhh.
One down.....
1 May 2007
Spoke to soon - the oil has not fixed the problem and it's as cranky as ever.....
14 January 2008
Well, since my last post, I think they have been here at least 4 times to try and fix the door which is as wonky as ever. It is driving my husband mad. First of all someone came, had a look and said he would order a new part. Came again, part didn't work. Said they would change the whole unit - returned some weeks later with only a replacement logic board. The problem was even worse now.
One day they said they said they would arrive at 8.30 but didn't turn up until 4!
He said 'Oh dear, I don't know what's wrong it it ' and again said they would replace the unit. That was a few weeks ago. Then an e-mail to say the part had to come from Spain and could take another 3 weeks..... and so it continues.
JLC are useless - never get a door from them.
10 February 2008
Well, the part that should have taken 3 weeks to come hasn't arrived - several weeks later - still no date as to when our wonky door will be fixed... hmmmmm.
15 February 2008
Today JLC turned up to fit in a new controlled - you will remember this as the one from Spain due weeks ago. Well the new one didn't work, the whole day was a fiasco and at one point the door developed a seizure and opened and closed in short stutters for some time! Alarms were sounding and the locking mechanism didn't work. Eventually he said he got it going - tried it many times and it did lock - but he said he knew it didn't always and there was nothing he could due as it was due to 'the door seal' and that it wasn't meant to work on a PVC door. Why is it, I asked, that this door was part of a 'door and opening system' which was put in together? Of course he had no answer for that.
Anyway, by the time Kevin got home it didn't lock - so when the door closes someone has to push it the last inch so the automatic locks bolt in. Also, the door has lost the ability to stay open e.g. when bringing shopping in, which he said was working - yet it isn't a function of the new system!!!
So, Kevin has told them once again that this is just not good enough and we await for them to return with the purchase of a 'new programmer' to make the door push with a greater force and close on its own like it is supposed to. So.... that would be the programmer they brought with them on an earlier visit which they now say they have to order as they have never had one....
to be continued...
03 March 2008
Turned up again today and fitted a second box next to the first one. Why - to make up for what box one should do if it functioned correctly.
They were also supposed to use a programmed to tell the door to close with the correct amount of force to actually shut - He brought the wrong connecter... I guess they will be back and we will be onto part 17...
02 June 2008
Today we told JLC that the door doesn’t reliably close every time. When going out we still have to wait until the door closes to be sure that our house is secure. Kevin and I are very unhappy with the level of service we have received from JLC Automation Ltd.
We feel that we have given them every opportunity to rectify the problem. However, after eighteen visits from their engineers and nearly two years of worry and hassle we have decided that enough is enough. We feel that this shows their company is obviously incapable of providing us with a reliable door opening/closing system.
Because of this, we have been forced to look elsewhere for a system that will work reliably and close, and lock, the front door consistently and securely. We are shortly going to have their door opener and controls removed and replaced at considerable expense to ourselves.
Obviously we are very unhappy that we are being forced to do this, but we just want this saga of incompetence and poor workmanship to come to an end once and for all. We will certainly not be recommending this company to other customers looking for such a system and are saddened that other disabled people and their families will have no other option if reliant on NHS/Social Care provision that contract with JLC.
07July 2008
Yahoo
This week marked a momentous occassions - the JLC parts for the automatic door were ripped out or modified by the new company.
What a difference. Polite and competent engineers, a door that works and several features my hubby is dancing around about in terms of functionality.
The end of an 18 part saga that started back in July 2006 we feel is finally over.
Too pee or not to pee... that indeed is the question
During my training I often talk about the most
important things in my life that give me personal
choice and freedom. It fits nicely into the how
Direct Payments could be used more flexibly and
demonstrates rights and freedoms disabled people
aspire to.
My number one thing in life is the toilet - and to hear the full story you will need to sign up to a course! So, of critical importance was to make our own bathroom accessible (cue clever hubby in the DIY field). That was in about 2004 and we are still completing it! Anyway, here is the story so far because I know others have written to me about the toilet in particular - so I have moved it onto the web again.
--
Talking about gadgets, the best invention in my bathroom has to be the vertical toilet riser.
Now you see, for all us none mobile sorts the biggest cause of incontinence is inaccessible toilets. This is a complete bug bear because the amount of thought that goes into designing accessible toilets is equivalent to the intellectual capacity of a goldfish.
Then if you can get into the room - there is the question - can I get on and off. Anyway, at home we have specifically designed our bathroom around easy access for me personally, visual appearance and use of gadgetry to make life easier.
In the beginning...
This was our layout to start with.
1) I need to transfer to my left so the toilet is the wrong way round.
2) Not enough room for hubby/PA to lift and transfer.
3) I need quite a low toilet - lower then normal. However it is really hard to lift me up from a low surface - so some gadgetry is needed.
4) Sink not correct height, shape etc and no room at the side for PA/hubby to wash/dress me.
5) Flooring needed to have enough grip so PAs and myself don’t slip when transferring, but not
so grippy that I can’t slide my feet across the floor to transfer.
6) Door needs to move for access.
Our own design.
Then we have transformed and rebuilt it to a 'wet room' which will have a second door leading to the bedroom if we later install a ceiling hoist. (large brown door on right side).
New features:
1) level entry shower i.e. now a wet room.
2) Door now in middle of the room (where it was originally as the owner had wall papered over the door!
3) Huge space (including shower area) on the floor to move around.
4) Chose a sink that is free standing with nothing underneath for lots of leg room, a big space to wash my hair in the sink (in reach of shower head) and room for someone to stand at the side to wash my hair.
5) A ledge behind the sink for a foot stool - so I can balance.
6) And a unique toilet (see below) with a round, bevelled seat (essential for posture and balance). It’s from Denmark (land of fabby toilets) and features rise and fall (and looks like the Starship Enterprise.
More to follow in future days.
My number one thing in life is the toilet - and to hear the full story you will need to sign up to a course! So, of critical importance was to make our own bathroom accessible (cue clever hubby in the DIY field). That was in about 2004 and we are still completing it! Anyway, here is the story so far because I know others have written to me about the toilet in particular - so I have moved it onto the web again.
--
Talking about gadgets, the best invention in my bathroom has to be the vertical toilet riser.
Now you see, for all us none mobile sorts the biggest cause of incontinence is inaccessible toilets. This is a complete bug bear because the amount of thought that goes into designing accessible toilets is equivalent to the intellectual capacity of a goldfish.
Then if you can get into the room - there is the question - can I get on and off. Anyway, at home we have specifically designed our bathroom around easy access for me personally, visual appearance and use of gadgetry to make life easier.
This was our layout to start with.
1) I need to transfer to my left so the toilet is the wrong way round.
2) Not enough room for hubby/PA to lift and transfer.
3) I need quite a low toilet - lower then normal. However it is really hard to lift me up from a low surface - so some gadgetry is needed.
4) Sink not correct height, shape etc and no room at the side for PA/hubby to wash/dress me.
5) Flooring needed to have enough grip so PAs and myself don’t slip when transferring, but not
so grippy that I can’t slide my feet across the floor to transfer.
6) Door needs to move for access.
Our own design.
Then we have transformed and rebuilt it to a 'wet room' which will have a second door leading to the bedroom if we later install a ceiling hoist. (large brown door on right side).
New features:
1) level entry shower i.e. now a wet room.
2) Door now in middle of the room (where it was originally as the owner had wall papered over the door!
3) Huge space (including shower area) on the floor to move around.
4) Chose a sink that is free standing with nothing underneath for lots of leg room, a big space to wash my hair in the sink (in reach of shower head) and room for someone to stand at the side to wash my hair.
5) A ledge behind the sink for a foot stool - so I can balance.
6) And a unique toilet (see below) with a round, bevelled seat (essential for posture and balance). It’s from Denmark (land of fabby toilets) and features rise and fall (and looks like the Starship Enterprise.
More to follow in future days.
The price of liberation and dignity
26/January/2010 02:56 PM Filed in: Other
April 2006 Archive
The basic idea is that a product that anybody can use - but is sold in a mobility/equipment shop because it might appeal particularly to disabled people - and the cost will be doubled.
Now - here is a real life example. My task - to find an umbrella or sun parasol that will clamp to my wheelchair. The choice appears to be two 'special' ones. This most common pictured here. Now, how much to you think this would cost to buy (Its just your average umbrella with an added flexible clamp and bendy bit).
Any offers of £5, £10, £20, £30, £40.....
Well, the cheapest is on e-bay for a starter bid of £13.95 (new) or you can go to a mobility supplier called Scootmart for £32.89 including VAT. Plus you seem to get blue, blue, or blue as the colour.
Just buying a tube clamp and 'normal' umbrella would cost £10-£15.
Or you can get a designer 'Storm' umbrella plus clamp for about £25! How mad is that.
Bean Bag lap tray / tv tray with floral pattern tray = 'normal shop' £1-7 on Ebay or a posh Marks and Spencer one for £12
Mobility / Equipment shop '£13.95 + for a basic one with no interesting picture.
The above items, if I bought new on Ebay would cost be around £25 incuding P&P. In a mobility shop this could have cost me 47+P&P. Even taking VAT of disability items it is still a lot of money - for a community the least likely to be able to afford it.
What a rip off.
The basic idea is that a product that anybody can use - but is sold in a mobility/equipment shop because it might appeal particularly to disabled people - and the cost will be doubled.
Now - here is a real life example. My task - to find an umbrella or sun parasol that will clamp to my wheelchair. The choice appears to be two 'special' ones. This most common pictured here. Now, how much to you think this would cost to buy (Its just your average umbrella with an added flexible clamp and bendy bit).
Any offers of £5, £10, £20, £30, £40.....
Well, the cheapest is on e-bay for a starter bid of £13.95 (new) or you can go to a mobility supplier called Scootmart for £32.89 including VAT. Plus you seem to get blue, blue, or blue as the colour.
Just buying a tube clamp and 'normal' umbrella would cost £10-£15.
Or you can get a designer 'Storm' umbrella plus clamp for about £25! How mad is that.
Bean Bag lap tray / tv tray with floral pattern tray = 'normal shop' £1-7 on Ebay or a posh Marks and Spencer one for £12
Mobility / Equipment shop '£13.95 + for a basic one with no interesting picture.
The above items, if I bought new on Ebay would cost be around £25 incuding P&P. In a mobility shop this could have cost me 47+P&P. Even taking VAT of disability items it is still a lot of money - for a community the least likely to be able to afford it.
What a rip off.
Naidex - the alternative review.
April 2006 - An alternative view to the value of
Naidex.
This week is Naidex week. For all you none-disabled sorts - that's the NEC Birmingham Show for all things related to disability equipment.... or at least that was my memory of it.
It used to be the 'try it and see' for health and social care staff and of course 'we' the great public. - Everything from accessible kitchens and bathroom equipment to the latest in colostomy bags and leisure things (my favourite being the wheelchair accessible roundabout and swing for children - I wish they had them for big kids as well!!).
Some things you thought - never in a million years will disabled people want one of them in their homes because it looks horrible, uncomfortable and only comes in 'medical green' as a colour option .... only to overheard an OT place an order for 500. Do they ever learn... no I think NOT.
I happened to be browsing the list of exhibitors last nights and the latest inventions that are up for 'an award'. Oh how things have changed over the years.
Fantastic NEW products include....... The Great John. Of course this can only be one thing - a reinforced toilet for obese people which boasts a 200% larger seat and - you guessed it is an American invention. A new commode and large wheelchair ... for Bariatric patients (obese people)... and so on. Can you see a theme here.
The UK is now benefitting from more disabled people (to balance the demise of our people due to genetic testing LOL) and of course there needs to be appropriate adjustment in the equipment field.
Also in the past years there has been a rise in the number of stands devoted to discrimination (yes the DRC are there) and organisations of disabled people - now we are getting somewhere - life isn't always about trying to 'fix us' in some way with a bit of equipment.
What does make me angry - the cost of these 'liberating' gizmos.... see my other posts.
This week is Naidex week. For all you none-disabled sorts - that's the NEC Birmingham Show for all things related to disability equipment.... or at least that was my memory of it.
It used to be the 'try it and see' for health and social care staff and of course 'we' the great public. - Everything from accessible kitchens and bathroom equipment to the latest in colostomy bags and leisure things (my favourite being the wheelchair accessible roundabout and swing for children - I wish they had them for big kids as well!!).
Some things you thought - never in a million years will disabled people want one of them in their homes because it looks horrible, uncomfortable and only comes in 'medical green' as a colour option .... only to overheard an OT place an order for 500. Do they ever learn... no I think NOT.
I happened to be browsing the list of exhibitors last nights and the latest inventions that are up for 'an award'. Oh how things have changed over the years.
Fantastic NEW products include....... The Great John. Of course this can only be one thing - a reinforced toilet for obese people which boasts a 200% larger seat and - you guessed it is an American invention. A new commode and large wheelchair ... for Bariatric patients (obese people)... and so on. Can you see a theme here.
The UK is now benefitting from more disabled people (to balance the demise of our people due to genetic testing LOL) and of course there needs to be appropriate adjustment in the equipment field.
Also in the past years there has been a rise in the number of stands devoted to discrimination (yes the DRC are there) and organisations of disabled people - now we are getting somewhere - life isn't always about trying to 'fix us' in some way with a bit of equipment.
What does make me angry - the cost of these 'liberating' gizmos.... see my other posts.
Brighton break - 2006
26/January/2010 02:44 PM Filed in: Leisure
For this trip we pootled off to Brighton and checked
into the Holiday Inn on the sea front. Disabled
parking is right on the front and is charged at the
same amount as the underground hotel carpark.
Although we didn't pay the extra for a sea view, the accessible room did have a good front view through a window the entire length of the room. We also a had a balcony but access is through a narrow door without a low or level threshold.
I gave the room 1/10. The 1 point was for being able to get into the room and for one of the largest rooms we have stayed in - big enough for two Kingsized beds.
Where did the other 9 points go.... well.
Dreadful bathroom:
For starters, 8 of them went on the naff design of the bathroom. For example the door opened inwards so if you need help to transfer - once you have done so the other person can't get out (or back in). If someone fell off the loo nobody could get in to help because chances are you would be in front of the door and splatted on the floor. Talking about the floor - lovely white shiny tiles which are great for slipping and sliding. Oh and did I mention a grab rail stuck in the most stupidest of places - if you need a wide base to raise from seated to standing - forget it as the rail comes up from the floor and pins you to the loo... need I go on.
I will say one other thing - special people who book special rooms can not be trusted with hot water - so the tap water is regulated to 'luke warm' making a wash at the sink a cold and unpleasant experience - we used boiled water from the kettle to make it usable. I ended up using the bathroom in the lobby which was very accessible.
The good thing (and reason for booking it) was that we were a very short walk from the theatre where we had tickets to see Chris Rea. We had been before to this venue and you get to sit with all the other special people on the 'balcony' opposite the stage (it’s actually a good spot despite
the ’seat all disabled people together’ ethos).
The other 1 point was lost for the tables in the room - none of them accessible to me because they were too low to eat off when we had room service for dinner and breakfast. Even Kevin, sitting on chairs provided in the room could not get under the main 'desk' - poor design all round.
Although we didn't pay the extra for a sea view, the accessible room did have a good front view through a window the entire length of the room. We also a had a balcony but access is through a narrow door without a low or level threshold.
I gave the room 1/10. The 1 point was for being able to get into the room and for one of the largest rooms we have stayed in - big enough for two Kingsized beds.
Where did the other 9 points go.... well.
Dreadful bathroom:
For starters, 8 of them went on the naff design of the bathroom. For example the door opened inwards so if you need help to transfer - once you have done so the other person can't get out (or back in). If someone fell off the loo nobody could get in to help because chances are you would be in front of the door and splatted on the floor. Talking about the floor - lovely white shiny tiles which are great for slipping and sliding. Oh and did I mention a grab rail stuck in the most stupidest of places - if you need a wide base to raise from seated to standing - forget it as the rail comes up from the floor and pins you to the loo... need I go on.
I will say one other thing - special people who book special rooms can not be trusted with hot water - so the tap water is regulated to 'luke warm' making a wash at the sink a cold and unpleasant experience - we used boiled water from the kettle to make it usable. I ended up using the bathroom in the lobby which was very accessible.
The good thing (and reason for booking it) was that we were a very short walk from the theatre where we had tickets to see Chris Rea. We had been before to this venue and you get to sit with all the other special people on the 'balcony' opposite the stage (it’s actually a good spot despite
the ’seat all disabled people together’ ethos).
The other 1 point was lost for the tables in the room - none of them accessible to me because they were too low to eat off when we had room service for dinner and breakfast. Even Kevin, sitting on chairs provided in the room could not get under the main 'desk' - poor design all round.
Greenwich break - 2006
26/January/2010 02:39 PM Filed in: Leisure
My review of our two day trip to Greenwich, London.
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express and used the
Dockland Light Railway (DLR) to
get to Greenwich (or a ten minute drive by car).
Day 1 - Cutty Sark by car then to the hotel.
Day 2 - Greenwich Observatory & National Maritime Museum
Cutty Sark: It was raining and cold but we parked right next door in a pay and display car park. Kevin had just put in near a fiver for the afternoon - only to read it was free to blue badge holders.
The Cutty Sark has one accessible floor (the one beneath being the cargo hold and the one above the top deck and cabins). Most of the displays were on the accessible deck with the gift shop. Apparently they are putting the whole ship under cover with an external lift to all three decks in the next few year - and had reduced exhibits as a result of badly needed repairs and restoration. The 'model / plans' were displayed showing this great new access - yet were not on an accessible floor!! Oh yes, and at precisely the same time we were there on every third Sunday you will be subject to loud singing of sea shantees from local volunteer 'sailors' (prepare to be blasted or take ear muffs if you want to concentrate on reading the history of the ship!!). You can't really visit Greenwich without going on board to discover the joys of tea and its import- hurrah for tea I say!
We took shelter and had a meal in a local pub - expect London prices for a basic pub meal.
Accommodation
Holiday Inn express. Our first room had wheelchair access with 'wet room' with shower seat. Alas the sink was somewhat high and inset into the unit meaning I couldn't wash my hair in the sink. Also noticed that plugs were really low down even for a wheelchair user. As we discovered the shower then didn't work so we moved to another room fairly easily the next day. This was bigger and a different layout, again with a wet room. Electric sockets were at a more reasonable level along with other furniture - a much better room. It is worth looking at different accessible rooms if possible as they were both different. Parking was right next to the front door.
Day 2 - Greenwich Observatory & National Maritime Museum
Transport:
DLR from Silvertown station. A short walk from our hotel with one change on the outward journey. The DLR carriages themselves are very accessible in terms of wheelchair access. However we were let down by the platform lifts. We were supposed to get off at the Cutty Sark Station which is a few minutes walk to the Museum etc. However you must reach street level via a lift - which wasn't working. We had to get another train to the next stop at Greenwich - but that lift was broke also. Now we had to go to the next one which would not be within walking distance of our destination. We got off at the next stop where you could cross by ramps to the opposite platform. We returned to Greenwich stop only to find the lift again did not work on this side of the platform. However, we could reach street level and left the station and walked to the park.
What would have been ten minutes by car used up half of our day getting on and off trains. Apparently the 'lifts never work' which is not a lot of use for wheelchair users who want to do something other than visit a platform before going home again.
On the return journey we had to change twice - once at Canary Wharf during rush hour.... say no more. It was almost impossible to get off the train without just mowing people over - so I wouldn't advise travelling at that time.
So, trains are easy to access - if you find a working lift to the platforms.
Greenwich Observatory
We walked through the park and up the hill - use the road to reach the observatory rather than the steep path at the front which is impossible to get up. Alas this too was undergoing work for a new building and part of the museum - leaving not a lot left open. The new buildings will be more accessible and had lifts ready for when they open.
It is a good view from the top and at night is illuminated a a laser beams out showing the Meridian Line. The park shuts at dusk though. We will come back again in a few years to take a peak.
Greenwich Maritime Museum
Access was very good and we spent until closing time here. Many galleries to wander around and exhibits. Photographs aren't allowed which is a shame and entry was free. I can't remember how many lifts we had to get in and out of - lots as the galleries are on different levels and 'half levels' which is confusing! I could actually see the exhibits which was good - lots of galleries have cases you can't see into whilst seated so it was good in this respect.
Day 1 - Cutty Sark by car then to the hotel.
Day 2 - Greenwich Observatory & National Maritime Museum
Cutty Sark: It was raining and cold but we parked right next door in a pay and display car park. Kevin had just put in near a fiver for the afternoon - only to read it was free to blue badge holders.
The Cutty Sark has one accessible floor (the one beneath being the cargo hold and the one above the top deck and cabins). Most of the displays were on the accessible deck with the gift shop. Apparently they are putting the whole ship under cover with an external lift to all three decks in the next few year - and had reduced exhibits as a result of badly needed repairs and restoration. The 'model / plans' were displayed showing this great new access - yet were not on an accessible floor!! Oh yes, and at precisely the same time we were there on every third Sunday you will be subject to loud singing of sea shantees from local volunteer 'sailors' (prepare to be blasted or take ear muffs if you want to concentrate on reading the history of the ship!!). You can't really visit Greenwich without going on board to discover the joys of tea and its import- hurrah for tea I say!
We took shelter and had a meal in a local pub - expect London prices for a basic pub meal.
Accommodation
Holiday Inn express. Our first room had wheelchair access with 'wet room' with shower seat. Alas the sink was somewhat high and inset into the unit meaning I couldn't wash my hair in the sink. Also noticed that plugs were really low down even for a wheelchair user. As we discovered the shower then didn't work so we moved to another room fairly easily the next day. This was bigger and a different layout, again with a wet room. Electric sockets were at a more reasonable level along with other furniture - a much better room. It is worth looking at different accessible rooms if possible as they were both different. Parking was right next to the front door.
Day 2 - Greenwich Observatory & National Maritime Museum
Transport:
DLR from Silvertown station. A short walk from our hotel with one change on the outward journey. The DLR carriages themselves are very accessible in terms of wheelchair access. However we were let down by the platform lifts. We were supposed to get off at the Cutty Sark Station which is a few minutes walk to the Museum etc. However you must reach street level via a lift - which wasn't working. We had to get another train to the next stop at Greenwich - but that lift was broke also. Now we had to go to the next one which would not be within walking distance of our destination. We got off at the next stop where you could cross by ramps to the opposite platform. We returned to Greenwich stop only to find the lift again did not work on this side of the platform. However, we could reach street level and left the station and walked to the park.
What would have been ten minutes by car used up half of our day getting on and off trains. Apparently the 'lifts never work' which is not a lot of use for wheelchair users who want to do something other than visit a platform before going home again.
On the return journey we had to change twice - once at Canary Wharf during rush hour.... say no more. It was almost impossible to get off the train without just mowing people over - so I wouldn't advise travelling at that time.
So, trains are easy to access - if you find a working lift to the platforms.
Greenwich Observatory
We walked through the park and up the hill - use the road to reach the observatory rather than the steep path at the front which is impossible to get up. Alas this too was undergoing work for a new building and part of the museum - leaving not a lot left open. The new buildings will be more accessible and had lifts ready for when they open.
It is a good view from the top and at night is illuminated a a laser beams out showing the Meridian Line. The park shuts at dusk though. We will come back again in a few years to take a peak.
Greenwich Maritime Museum
Access was very good and we spent until closing time here. Many galleries to wander around and exhibits. Photographs aren't allowed which is a shame and entry was free. I can't remember how many lifts we had to get in and out of - lots as the galleries are on different levels and 'half levels' which is confusing! I could actually see the exhibits which was good - lots of galleries have cases you can't see into whilst seated so it was good in this respect.
Some archived blogs
26/January/2010 02:24 PM Filed in: Health
Today I am moving some blog posts from a past blog,
over onto IforI. Starting with this one from the
Archives:
January 2006: Maidstone Hospital - no access
Today I received a phone call saying they wanted me to go for a Barium swallow on Thursday. Despite having changed my name twice at the clinics they still had me under my maiden name which confused the issue. I then said a 'by the way, I'm a wheelchair user', to which they replied 'ah, that could be a problem.' Does anyone actually read medical notes - its pretty obvious! Apparently the room where they are doing them is not accessible due to moving around of departments or something. The lady was very polite and said she would find out what they could do....
A later phone call that day.....
Now they had booked for me to have it in an accessible room..... I then enquired 'how do you plan on doing this'.... she said 'eh... why' to which I reminded her that I could not sit unaided out of my wheelchair (although she said they had a hoist to get me out of my chair) and also could not hold a cup to drink the barium 'meal' for scan of how I swallow! She said that could be a problem and would have to consult with someone higher up as to what to do and so as to not waste my time or theirs coming in until they had worked something out.
So there you go. It's easy for these medical types to say ' do a scan' but they never put any thought into the needs of patients with impairments.... 0/10 my friends.
Part two... January 26th, 8 weeks from seeing my GP.
So my appointment came through giving no indication of access so I had to phone them to check.
It took two laps of the car park to find parking and then an icy walk into the main building... brrrrrr.
FROM A to B
Anyway I walked from shall we say part 'A' of the building all the way to part 'B' at the opposite end of the hospital.
FROM B to A
On arrive at radiology in part 'B' I was told 'sorry' you need to go to CT as they are doing them up there today'...... so off I went with my PA. There were no signs and asking local wards where this quite critical part of the hospital imaging department is - they hadn't a clue.
Eventually I worked out is was in the cancer unit - back up at part 'A'. So off we went.....
On arrival at reception I was told 'sorry, yours is being done at radiology'.... grrr......
FROM A to B
Back we plodded along miles of corridors to the opposite end of the hospital again.... 2 miles later....
Eventually I had to transfer (for transfer read ' be dragged/slided') to three different places because of different height beds / tables etc.
Eventually I made it and got the thing done - with no great conclusion as to why or what to do about my problem... Still at least it wasn't anything cancerous or that would have topped the day of nicely!
FROM B to A
All that remained was to trek back to 'part A' to get in the car.... now where was CT again?
January 2006: Maidstone Hospital - no access
Today I received a phone call saying they wanted me to go for a Barium swallow on Thursday. Despite having changed my name twice at the clinics they still had me under my maiden name which confused the issue. I then said a 'by the way, I'm a wheelchair user', to which they replied 'ah, that could be a problem.' Does anyone actually read medical notes - its pretty obvious! Apparently the room where they are doing them is not accessible due to moving around of departments or something. The lady was very polite and said she would find out what they could do....
A later phone call that day.....
Now they had booked for me to have it in an accessible room..... I then enquired 'how do you plan on doing this'.... she said 'eh... why' to which I reminded her that I could not sit unaided out of my wheelchair (although she said they had a hoist to get me out of my chair) and also could not hold a cup to drink the barium 'meal' for scan of how I swallow! She said that could be a problem and would have to consult with someone higher up as to what to do and so as to not waste my time or theirs coming in until they had worked something out.
So there you go. It's easy for these medical types to say ' do a scan' but they never put any thought into the needs of patients with impairments.... 0/10 my friends.
Part two... January 26th, 8 weeks from seeing my GP.
So my appointment came through giving no indication of access so I had to phone them to check.
It took two laps of the car park to find parking and then an icy walk into the main building... brrrrrr.
FROM A to B
Anyway I walked from shall we say part 'A' of the building all the way to part 'B' at the opposite end of the hospital.
FROM B to A
On arrive at radiology in part 'B' I was told 'sorry' you need to go to CT as they are doing them up there today'...... so off I went with my PA. There were no signs and asking local wards where this quite critical part of the hospital imaging department is - they hadn't a clue.
Eventually I worked out is was in the cancer unit - back up at part 'A'. So off we went.....
On arrival at reception I was told 'sorry, yours is being done at radiology'.... grrr......
FROM A to B
Back we plodded along miles of corridors to the opposite end of the hospital again.... 2 miles later....
Eventually I had to transfer (for transfer read ' be dragged/slided') to three different places because of different height beds / tables etc.
Eventually I made it and got the thing done - with no great conclusion as to why or what to do about my problem... Still at least it wasn't anything cancerous or that would have topped the day of nicely!
FROM B to A
All that remained was to trek back to 'part A' to get in the car.... now where was CT again?
Premier accessibility
When is an accessible Premier Inn not an accessible
Premier Inn?
Answer: When you phone and talk to staff at Poole North about accessible rooms.
I don’t normally question the accessibility of rooms in these types of places. However, having stayed at so many either for short breaks, work or visiting family, I know that no two are the same.
Sometimes it is a subtle difference or a difference that determines my personal level of access (like not needing to take so much disability equipment if I can transfer to the loo on one particular side).
Something made me query the sink (in which I would be washing hair and so on) as to whether it was built into a wall, built into a unit or was free standing to get underneath and up close from my wheelchair.
My husband called first and the person on the desk said they were built in... followed by ‘oh no, I don’t think so in the disabled rooms’. The moment the person gave me reason to doubt, prompted a second phone call the next day for a second opinion. This person also didn’t fill me with confidence.
Staff couldn’t provide a photo of the bathroom which would have cleared up the query once and for all so I had to enlist my brother, who was in that area this week, to visit and take a look himself (and take some photos). Of course, it was good of staff to let him do that but what would have been much easier is to see a picture of the rooms and layout. A cheap and easy solution that would have meant minimum inconvenience for all concerned and increased their standard of customer care.
Just having ‘accessible rooms’ is really not enough because different layouts pose different barriers for different people and a picture could really help resolve a customer’s query.
I believe photographs of accessible rooms, holiday cottages etc should be a minimum part of any disability standard because disabled people don’t always fit the ’accessibility standard’ box.
Answer: When you phone and talk to staff at Poole North about accessible rooms.
I don’t normally question the accessibility of rooms in these types of places. However, having stayed at so many either for short breaks, work or visiting family, I know that no two are the same.
Sometimes it is a subtle difference or a difference that determines my personal level of access (like not needing to take so much disability equipment if I can transfer to the loo on one particular side).
Something made me query the sink (in which I would be washing hair and so on) as to whether it was built into a wall, built into a unit or was free standing to get underneath and up close from my wheelchair.
My husband called first and the person on the desk said they were built in... followed by ‘oh no, I don’t think so in the disabled rooms’. The moment the person gave me reason to doubt, prompted a second phone call the next day for a second opinion. This person also didn’t fill me with confidence.
Staff couldn’t provide a photo of the bathroom which would have cleared up the query once and for all so I had to enlist my brother, who was in that area this week, to visit and take a look himself (and take some photos). Of course, it was good of staff to let him do that but what would have been much easier is to see a picture of the rooms and layout. A cheap and easy solution that would have meant minimum inconvenience for all concerned and increased their standard of customer care.
Just having ‘accessible rooms’ is really not enough because different layouts pose different barriers for different people and a picture could really help resolve a customer’s query.
I believe photographs of accessible rooms, holiday cottages etc should be a minimum part of any disability standard because disabled people don’t always fit the ’accessibility standard’ box.
