MATS team - How absurd is this?

Tender Face

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Mar 14, 2006
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NW England
Mum was recently 'invited' to attend a memory support group ...... short term (7 weeks max) ..... Monday afternoons guaranteed - no I couldn't get time off work to transport her - agreed with Social Worker we would pay for a contract taxi to escort her there and back ....... mum's name on waiting list ...

Letter today ... the group will run on SOME Monday or OTHER Tuesday afternoons ........ (which clashes with one of mum's regular Tuesday day care days - not that I would have expected for one million years for her CPN to have discussed this with her social worker) ..... let alone dear old me and my other commitments ......

Wasn't it the MATS team first impressed on me the importance of regular routine?

To add salt to the wound ...... they have enclosed a map of where the group is to be held and where one might park??????? How much use is that to mum??????

And they have sent all these details to mum - when I have been persuading the world and his wife NOT to send correspondence to mum (under EPA) because she simply does not understand paperwork ...... (of course EPA not applying to the medical world) .... but of ALL the people who should realise mum cannot cope with this stuff - let alone where any correspondence may end up - I rather hoped the MATS Team would be the ones I could rely on???????

Before I completely BLAST a letter off to 'HQ' I thought I would invite thoughts .........

Thanks, Karen, x
 

Skye

Registered User
Aug 29, 2006
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SW Scotland
Blast away, Karen! That's totally unacceptable.

I'm sure they know that you work, and aren't available to transport your mum on different days to suit themselves.

I don't think some of these professionals live in the real world!

By the way, what's MATS?

Love,
 

elaineo2

Registered User
Jul 6, 2007
945
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leigh lancashire
hi Karen,never had to deal with this with dad,but BOY do i deal with it at work.its no matter to them who gets residents to appointmments,they change them all the bloody time and expect everyone to drop everything to accommodate their inadequacy at making appointments and sticking to um.****** the fact that these appointments are necessary!it's your fault that you cannot escort them??????????????????? when they change um?a system of disbelief am afeared hun.a system that will always be the dictator.love elainex
 
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117katie

Guest
Dear Karen

Please GO BLAST THE FLUCKERS OFF THIS EARTH!!

You really don't need to invite thoughts, Dear Karen, you know that those of us with half a mind to help you in the process are right behind you!

I am thoroughly out of this world tonight, because I have today been reading through the so-called health records of my Gal who left us a short while back. And lo and behold, I am confronted with the fact that she was walked by a support worker ON FOOT from the mental health assessment unit to a Pain Clinic appointment, repeat PAIN CLINIC APPOINTMENT, about 1.5 miles from the assessment unit. Down a very steep hill and then along a flat, and then through the entrails of a very large hospital. AND THEY WONDERED WHY SHE FAINTED AND VOMITTED and suffered a something-or-other attack (haven't deciphered that one yet) during the pain clinic appointment. And then had to go to A&E ....

I think it is fair to say that I have just about had enough of the stupidity that I am being asked to accept is PROFESSIONAL.

So, dear Karen, if you need my to help you blast anybody off this earth, then will you help me to do likewise.

Just form an orderly - or DISORDERLY - queue, Girls, and we will blast these ....s of this earth.

With a little help from our friends,

Katie
 
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Tender Face

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Mar 14, 2006
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NW England
Hi Hazel, MATS in our NHS area stands for 'Memory Assessment and Treatment Service'. Mum has always had 'outreach care' - not having to attend a memory clinic but home visits for MMSE and OT assessment .......

Some of you who know me as a 'Tper' for the last couple of years might know I have the 'confidence' to 'blast' at people - purportedly professional - who don't understand the difference from EPA or LBD.... when I think they damned well should ...... (Tpers, like me, are here to learn those things - I personally think health professionals dealing with dementia ought to know .... but then I can be very naive at times!!!:eek:)

But when I find I have to do battle with the very people I expect to understand dementia and mentor me ... if mum's own CPN and OT have not got the 'gist' that she cannot make choices, that she cannot follow instructions, that she is confused and frightened by letters through the post ..... what chance have we, as carers, got to care our best for them????? That they cannot liaise with her social worker .......?????

That I found this latest letter at all is nothing short of miraculous ....... that mum''s CPN has been changed without any notification (until she was notified of the next appt I find appalling - apart from downright rude) Guess what? - previous CPN is co-ordinating the 'group' which is pear-shaped to me before it's even started...

Perhaps there's hope for me and mum yet? We might get someone more 'aware' on board? But in the meantime it is down to me to stop mum relinquishing a hard-fought-for day care place which is on-going and she now could lose .... for the sake of a few weeks which has been 'sold' to her by NHS workers under a pretext I thought I could manage ....... It has been a long hard battle to get social services to provide the help mum and I and my family has needed ......... how foolish of me to even dream the health service was a holistic idea ........... and in terms of mental health sheer stuff of pipe dreams ........

Sorry to be so cynical,

Karen,
 

Skye

Registered User
Aug 29, 2006
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SW Scotland
how foolish of me to even dream the health service was a holistic idea ........... and in terms of mental health sheer stuff of pipe dreams ........

Sorry to be so cynical,

Not cynical at all, Karen. Realistic, I'd say.

If you've read my recent dealings with the NHS, you'd know how much I agree with you. And I'm on a committee that's trying to improve things!!!!!

Unless you think this memory support group is going to perform miracles :rolleyes::rolleyes:, I'd stick to the day care. The regular routine is important for your mum's confidence. And shouldn't they know that?:mad:

But I'd blast 'em first -- as i know you're capable of doing!:eek:

Love,
 

hendy

Registered User
Feb 20, 2008
506
0
West Yorkshire
Hi Karen and to all on thread

I would like to join in the blasting of all 'so called 'health professionals'. The SS and CPN's assigned to help my dad have all been a waste of time. I could tell some appauling and horrific tales, but the mood we're all in, it might not be a good idea. The very things that are set up to help our loved ones often contribute to their distress. Before Dad's illnesses I was shy and retiring, but now I've developed blasting skills that could stop a Rhino charging at 40 paces!! or at least stand up for Dad and myself in a 'review' in the company of so-called 'health professionals' or anyone else who contributes to his distress becauses of their indiffernce or ineptitude.
regards
hendy
ps! I have to add that when Dad receives good care and support which he is doing at present. I always make a point of thanking staff involved, just to balance things out a tad.
pps!This may change as at the moment Dad is waiting to be assigned a social worker
 
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lizbet

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Feb 26, 2007
20
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north yorkshire
To you all on this thread

Hope you all blast them. Sounds as though they well need blasting far away from the work they claim to be experts in.
I am in despair at some of the things I read on this site. Makes me wonder what kind of country we are becoming. And the values of the people that live in it. We all need to fight against all we see wrong, but know how hard it is. Makes one mentally exhausted.
At 81 am losing some of the energy at the moment, but hope all of you fit and well blast away. lizbet
 

Margarita

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Feb 17, 2006
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london
Before I completely BLAST a letter off to 'HQ' I thought I would invite thoughts .........


Blast them off to reality land ....... , do take into consideration that they are trying to help your mother as I am sure you know already . but they not taking into consideration that your working and trying to keep your mother at home on her own as long as possible .

If you where living with her those classes could benefit her .

you would have no problem in organizing it all for her , just tell them your not going to tolerate it any more as they not cooperating with you , its all to confusing for your mother the changes of day , and it would benefit her more just to go to day center . unless they pay for a live in carer to organize all the changes of days .

be realistic with them tell them the reality of it all , as its all to stress full for you also let alone your mother.

PS


They do the same to me , all letter for appointment are still in my mother name , they even phone up asking for my mother about appointments .

The only one that does not do that is the memory nurse and DWP
 
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christine_batch

Registered User
Jul 31, 2007
3,387
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Buckinghamshire
How they can call themselves PROFFESSIONALS is a lot of hog wash and I am being polite.

If they had to care 24/7 the would not have a b******y clue.

Have had the experience with my own disability for 21 years and 5 years with Peter.

If you need to get hold of a S.W. in an emergency, they are either in a meeting (God only knows why) or they have gone home or even worse another holiday and no one to take their place!!!!

Peter's Consultant, if he wants to know anything, always ask me as he has always said - THE CARER KNOWS THEIR LOVED ONE'S BEST !!!!

Christine
 

Margarita

Registered User
Feb 17, 2006
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london
If you need to get hold of a S.W. in an emergency, they are either in a meeting (God only knows why) or they have gone home or even worse another holiday and no one to take their place!!!!




That so true what you said Christine as that when I was told that , I put phone down. I thought No that can't be right . so I phone back saying that this is a emergency , they must be someone they as that why they have the service to speak to an emergency social worker . I want to speak to one Now . she told me to hold on . I spoke to one.
 

Margarita

Registered User
Feb 17, 2006
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0
london
when my mother was playing up at day centre and they where going to take away the services from her

I got really stress working out why she was like that in the first place , I was right at the end but God did they stress me out finding out why she was like that I had to get proof from the doctor .

That when I spoke to a member of staff at another day center I said I am going to tell them at meeting that in the future they can not meet my mother demands I am pulling her out of day that center. she told me not to say that . where I replayed well I am if they get on my nerves I am can say anything I like .

because at the end of the day they have to proved a serves , because they hate to admit to defeat it does not look good on them . I don't care less any more my mother needs come before anything they can't offer .

I always been so meek polite to them , now my attitude change , because its getting me no where with support, cut the chase get to the point is my attitude now .
 
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117katie

Guest
A Few Quotes Thus Far, From This Thread

"Typical!"

"perhaps you could invite them to a place the rest of us call the real world"

"I would like to join in the blasting of all 'so called 'health professionals"

"I don't think some of these professionals live in the real world!"

"I was shy and retiring, but now I've developed blasting skills that could stop a Rhino charging at 40 paces!!"

"Hope you all blast them. Sounds as though they well need blasting far away from the work they claim to be experts in."

"Blast them off to reality land"

"How they can call themselves PROFFESSIONALS is a lot of hog wash and I am being polite."

"I think it is fair to say that I have just about had enough of the stupidity that I am being asked to accept is PROFESSIONAL."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I think the above quotes express an awful lot of the despair that is being experienced by an awful lot of us.

So, I have just opened up the DISORDERLY QUEUE that I proposed - to anyone who wishes to blast them even further. Perhaps we may be allowed to call it the "Blasting Rhino Queue".

I too was once shy and retiring, but now I too have and have developed blasting skills that could stop a Rhino charging at 40 paces! On a good day, when I'm not feeling beaten to a pulp by the manoeuvrings of those who know how to work a system to their advantage, with our loved ones suffering along the way.

Between us we may be able to develop the blasting skills to stop a whole herd of Rhinos charging. Crash, bang and wallop.

I'm up for that, Gals and Guys, so where do we go next?

Katie
 

Tender Face

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Mar 14, 2006
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NW England
'Not ideal'? or nowhere near good enough?

When my answerphone message finally got picked up and I was called back by mum's (previous) CPN .........

K: This support group was supposed to be Monday afternoons?
CPN: Yes I know
K: Mum has day care on Tuesdays
CPN: Oh does she?
(Stop self asking - shouldn't SW have liased with you and let you know that?)
K: Mum has been looking forward to it ..... she has had a note by her for weeks about it to remind her ...
CPN: Oh that's a shame ......(realise it looks like mum might 'miss out' - if mum ever thinks she is 'missing out' on something on offer she will go ape!!!!!!!)
K: But the venue for the group is practically next building to mum's day care centre .... any chance someone could escort her over after lunch? Sorry, but I can't take an hour out of work to escort her 50 yards ....... Shall I speak to social worker? Then I can pick her up - but only on the Tuesdays ..... and that assumes my son doesn't have after-school sessions which will mean I should be in three places at once ...... Then I'll have to let the transport people know she won't need picking up on a Tuesday ......but maybe they could help out on a Monday? - or I'll arrange a private taxi? .... very difficult for me to ever get time off on a Monday
CPN: Perhaps the buddy could help?
(Stops self saying: Oh, yes, while I'm at why don't I get yet another agency involved and co-ordinate them changing their weekly routine as well? In my next life I will no doubt be coming back as a 'Co-ordinator-Extraordinnaire'!!!!!!!!)
K: I thought it was important to maintain routine? Are you sure there will still be benefit for mum with all this?
CPN: I'm really sorry - but it was the only times we could get the venue for 7 continuous weeks .........
K: Whhhhaat? So the provision is down to lack of resources in terms of location not staff?
CPN: I'm afraid so ........
K: But routine is so important?
CPN: Yes, it's not ideal is it? I think we need to play it by ear
(Stops self from screaming: You try telling my boss that!!!! Unless it's absolute emergency ..... I need to have plans in place, book leave - even if it is just an hour here and there ...)
K: Well, on that note there have been changes with mum just recently and I wonder if the group is even appropriate for her now - or will be by the time it gets off the ground ..... I was going to discuss this at her next home assessment ...... but I see it won't be you and OT coming? That's another change for mum and something else unfamiliar for her to cope with ......
CPN: It's not ideal is it? But we are so stretched ....... It's a nightmare isn't it?
K: Frankly, yes ....

I realise it's not the poor soldiers on the front line who need 'blasting' when they are themselves trying to cope with being so under-resourced ... but if dedicated memory teams are not allowed to practise what they preach in terms of routine and continuity - well, it's nothing new to a lot of us?????? .... I can feel a letter to my MP coming on .........:mad:

Thanks everyone for comments on this thread, Karen, x
 

Clive

Registered User
Nov 7, 2004
716
0
"I can feel a letter to my MP coming on ........."


Give yourself a treat... go and SEE your MP and tell him face to face.


Clive
 

hendy

Registered User
Feb 20, 2008
506
0
West Yorkshire
Dear Karen, Katie and Clive and all

Has anyone on this thread(or any other) ever written to an MP and got a result?
I'm not being facetious just wondered...?
Have had first contact with Dads SW annoying and stupid conversation I wouldn't want to bore anyone, but unfortunately did not do any 'blasting 'this time. Will save it for later!!
regards
hendy
 
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117katie

Guest
Nope

Once our MP knocked on the door, at about 9.50 on a Saturday morning, and I opened door, said the usual "hello" having thought goodness gracious me, he is real after all.

John came down from upstairs, where he was when I called out JOHN, and he looked same MP in the face and said - unprompted by me - "Goodness gracious me, you do exist as a human being on this earth after all". As opposed to another planet, I guess.

Why did our MP call? LOCAL ELECTIONS. Of course, silly me, forgot that one, didn't I!!!!

Did he ever do any one single thing about all the problems we presented to him in his so-called Surgery (misnomer, if ever there was one!!) ..... ZILCH. ABSOLUTE ZERO!!!

Agreed, Hendy, save your BLASTING for later. By which time it will be much more forceful.

Katie

Sorry to be somewhat disappointing in my response, but the answer is still NO. NOT ONE SINGLE RESULT, but not for the lack of trying.