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Threatening to stop my oxygen for missing an appointment.

Jacko72 profile image
13 Replies

I missed the 6monthly check up by forgetting to write the appointment on my calendar. My memory seems to be getting worse. They rang me to ask me why I'd missed. She said the government where cracking down and if I miss my appointment they they could stop my oxygen. I found this threatening and upsetting. Can they do that to me?

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Jacko72 profile image
Jacko72
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13 Replies
Watfordgirl profile image
Watfordgirl

How can people do this? It's cruel and bullying. Presumably clerical staff? Definitely someone who's never been breathless and frightened by it. Think you should let your GP know, and maybe PALS at the hospital you go to.

If you think about it, Jacko, stopping your oxygen could end up with admission to hospital which would cost the NHS far more than an unfortunately missed appointment.

Try not to worry. x

Jacko72 profile image
Jacko72 in reply toWatfordgirl

Thank you watfordgirl ,I will ring my GP I Carnt survive without my oxygen . It's unacceptable . I need some kind of reassurance .

Mandy6513 profile image
Mandy6513

No they can not stop your oxygen...sounds like a jobsworth to me and i would be complaining about her to PALS

No wonder you're upset, what a hateful woman she must be, to threaten a sick person with such lies! I'm glad you're going to phone your GP, but please also make a complaint against this horrible person. If she isn't stopped, she'll carry on frightening other people.

mmzetor profile image
mmzetor

I don't think the nhs are helping with people missing appointments by sending out appointments so soon I went to see consultant at addenbrooks couple of weeks ago he said I will see you in a year couple days later got appointment in the post for mid march 2017 , hope you get this all sorted out with gp take care

stone-UK profile image
stone-UK

Hi

I missed my last , as it was important I attend ( their words ) they just rearranged, now I only go every 12 months.

What they can do is to discharge you back to your GP.

As GP's are no longer responsible for oxygen.

Maybe that could cause an issue, I would seek some kind of clarification.

Some time due to circumstances beyond your control you may have to cancel at short notice, which in their eyes is equal to a missed appointment if there is little time to fill the gap.

I have just received my appointment letter for the respitory nurse for inhaler valuation.

Quote

Please be aware that you may discharged back to the care of your GP should you fail to attend,or if you fail to give sufficient notice of your intention to cancel appointment

Unquote.

Jacko72 profile image
Jacko72

Thanks for that info stone.

O2Trees profile image
O2Trees

Outrageous. That's bullying and intimidation. I agree with others above - do make a complaint Jacko.

Moya-Bean profile image
Moya-Bean

No they can't. Please write a stern letter to the head of the dept you where to see at the hospital. Explaining that memory issues go had in glove with lack of oxygen to the brain and That you have been threatened by (whoever called you/or you called). I always add that if this happens again that I will be calling my solicitor for advice and support. Due to adopting a disabled child with C.P. and have 2 disabled children of my own as well as being disabled I have learned a thing or 5 and one of them is to make sure you have a solicitor who is near by who is there just in case (you may not ever need them, but just so you have a go to person who can explain law).

The other thing I have learned is that just a letter stating you are going to speak to your solicitor, is enough for an apology and a backtrack.

I am not condoning lying, but fight fire with fire... you HAVE been lied to. They want you to think that they could do that. But in reality if they tried you could take them to court and get allot of compensation.

I have been bed bound for nearly 4 years. The doctors thought it was my spine, kept me out of my head on morphine, writhing in pain. Until I researched a drug they put me on 4 years ago called Gabapentin. I have 35 of the most serious side effects. The Neurologist admitted to poisoning me. That's when I contacted my solicitor and am now in process of a no win no fee huge compensation case.

I am an ex-Nurse for the NHS and I believe in the NHS and will fight for the NHS. But I also believe that patients should be treated with respect and understanding of their disabilities. Not threatened.

The long and the short of it is it would be illegal for them to stop your oxygen.

Please write your consultant and explain that you feel under threat by what you where told and missing the appointment is not your fault. Hell I don't have COPD , but this drug gave me severe short term memory loss. I know this feeling of blind fear... so much so I have 2 diary’s one for medical and one for life and another one that I carry in a bum bag because I forget things just going down the stairs. So have to write what I need, then go down the stairs.

I apologise to all for this early in the morning rant, but Jack-o doesn't deserve this, none of us do we are all understanding people and having a disability tends to make us more understanding. We all deserve respect.

Keep up the good fight, and don't allow anyone to scare you.

x fran

Jacko72 profile image
Jacko72 in reply toMoya-Bean

Thank you moya for taking time out to get back to me on this. I'm sorry for the pain you have been through first of all. You go girl, good luck on your claim. I spoke to my doctor about the incident, he advises me to talk or write to my consultant about this too, and assures me that I would never have to worry about having my oxygen taken away. I'm seeing my consultant in a couple of weeks. But in the meantime I will be seeking advise from a solicitor. I will let you no how it goes. Take care for now.xx

Moya-Bean profile image
Moya-Bean in reply toJacko72

Wonderful Jacko, when you have a disability the outside world and sometimes those in it think they can bully you. But knowing you have someone like a solicitor who has your back if and when you need them makes you realise, that actually having a disability makes you stronger.

Sometimes just a letter on headed note paper from your solicitor will be enough to make them realise what they have said is illegal and you could take it further.... usually you never need too. Usually you will find they will contact you with a letter of apology. People at the NHS are now pushed to breaking point as the gov tears it apart. You probably caught someone on one of their bad days..... But that is no excuse.

I promise you I feel less vulnerable now then I have ever done, because there is a someone who has my back... leaving me to get on with life with out worry.

Please do let me know ,

kindest Regards

fran

Ergendl profile image
Ergendl

I've missed a couple of NHS appointments, though none as serious as yours, Jacko, because I didn't remember them during the day after being aware of them first thing in the morning. Apparently this forgetfulness can happen if you have low oxygen levels, whether you have a mild, moderate or severe lung condition, according to some BLF literature. I've now told my husband and my friend to remind me about important things, to make sure I don't miss them because I've become so absent-minded at times. That's made a difference, as I'm much less likely to miss something now - I just have to accept hearing lots of reminders in good grace....

Offcut profile image
Offcut

Firstly get onto PALS they should deal with it quickly. Explain if this is not dealt with you will be contacting your MP.

I have short term memory problems and can even forget I have an appointment in my coat pocket by the time I get home.

I think that even threatening to remove the oxygen is an outrageous thing to do I hope they sort it out and at the very least send an apology.

Be Well

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