Hate having to think of a title...this is as much as a rant as anything else

[lizzybean]

Have been trying to get on the direct payments scheme since June 2014. I have to if I want to carry on using the care agency that we have been using. They finally sent a card in Jan 2015 but they sent it to MIL. I finally got a new card in June 2015. Set it all up successfully, we are ready to go!! Woohoo!!
Rang SS to find out how they stop paying for care & I start. Thought I'd got it sorted.
The care agency phoned me last week to say there was no end date to when the LA would stop paying (bearing in mind I phoned SS 10 weeks ago) & I would start.
We are also sitting on excess of £3K that they have been putting on this card, I can't use this money & offered to pay it back to them but the advisor I spoke to was very vague!
Phoned them again on Thurs last week with the same query (plus I would like MIL to have another day in day care, which was mentioned 10 weeks ago) The lady I spoke to seemed a bit more on the ball. She said she was going to put a priory one on the query.

Roll forward to Friday, I get a call from SS. Gosh I thought, that's quick! No, this was in response to my call 10 weeks ago when I also enquired about respite vouchers. They don't do them anymore they now put the budget on a card! Groan!
At some point my MIL is going to have to go into a home when we go away (as much for my peace of mind as anything else)
SS lady wanted to know if we wanted a home for MIL, I was quite astounded as we are going away on Tuesday! OH is against the idea at the moment as he doesn't think she is ready & I agree but want funding in place for future because I have no idea when she will be unsafe to leave.
We have agreed on rolling respite which basically is extra care plus extras like the care agency could shop for her whilst we are away. It is also not rolling as I still have to apply each year.

Sick to death of red tape & so sorry for such a long post. Have not packed yet & MIL is at the memory clinic tomorrow (1st time for 2 years) don't even know how I am going to get her there! I also have to shop for her tomorrow.
Good Lord I'm such a moaner aren't I.

 

[Lindy50]

Good Lord, lizzybean, you are definitely not a moaner!!

This kind if poor admin is just not good enough. You have enough to do without battling sheer inefficiency. I'd say that a letter to the director would be in in order, if they haven't sorted all this by th time you get back from holiday. And if no joy, there's always the local government ombudsman....!

Meanwhile I hope all goes well tomorrow. I told mum that memory clinic appointments were like gold dust, we were very lucky to get one, and we couldn't let the GP down after he'd worked so hard to get us one etc......don't know whether something like that might help?

Good luck ....and have a great holiday

Lindy xx

 

[lizzybean]

Good Lord, lizzybean, you are definitely not a moaner!!

This kind if poor admin is just not good enough. You have enough to do without battling sheer inefficiency. I'd say that a letter to the director would be in in order, if they haven't sorted all this by th time you get back from holiday. And if no joy, there's always the local government ombudsman....!

Meanwhile I hope all goes well tomorrow. I told mum that memory clinic appointments were like gold dust, we were very lucky to get one, and we couldn't let the GP down after he'd worked so hard to get us one etc......don't know whether something like that might help?

Good luck ....and have a great holiday

Lindy xx

Thanks Lindy, you always seem to come to my rescue. I just don't understand how everything takes sooo long. The things I am asking for & doing are really not that complicated. I am going on the direct payment scheme for them because I have to, I'm not doing it for my benefit! I really think they'd like their £3k back to!!!

Can't tell MIL anything like that as there is nothing wrong with her! I think it might have to be one of those special over 80s check ups!

 

[Lindy50]

Thanks Lindy, you always seem to come to my rescue. I just don't understand how everything takes sooo long. The things I am asking for & doing are really not that complicated. I am going on the direct payment scheme for them because I have to, I'm not doing it for my benefit! I really think they'd like their £3k back to!!!

Can't tell MIL anything like that as there is nothing wrong with her! I think it might have to be one of those special over 80s check ups!

There was nothing wrong with mum either.....! So we went along just to prove that.....and if the doctor suggested anything (eg for blood pressure.....) well, we'd think about it at the time. Her choice. And actually they never did offer anything

But the over 80's check up sounds a good idea

Hope tomorrow goes well

Lindy xx

 

[daisydi]

I had all this too. In fact in took so long for them to sort the direct payments out that by the time we got it my mum had gone into care and I had to pay most of it back!