Do they know what they're doing

[Jennymary]

A few weeks ago I posted a question regarding mum's diabetic foot care, and I'm very grateful for all the responses I received. I took the invoice into the home, they photocopied it and sent it to head office, did this 18/8/17. Today I've had another invoice, again diabetic foot care charged on in, spoken to head office the man I spoke to didn't realise diabetics get free foot care, he suggested we pay it and then claim the money back from the NHS, but surely that can't be right, if anyone has any ideas on how to get this sorted I'd be really grateful, thanking you in advance x

[sassy59]

Don't pay and make them sort it out immediately. A terrible way to treat your mum and you. Xxxx

[MAS_Nurse]

Hi Jenny Mary

I find it hard to grasp that anyone involved in foot care or care of the elderly doesn't know that diabetic footcare is free at the point of delivery. Perhaps you could have a chat with Diabetes UK for clarity? They have a helpline Mon to Fri 9 to 5 020 7424 1000 or look on the website

diabetes.org.uk

In the meantime I should follow Sassy's advice!

Best of luck with it.

[Hidden]

Hi jennymary, This must be confusing, frustrating and irritating for you, when you quite rightly say that your mum is entitled to, at the very least, an annual appointment for diabetic foot care from the NHS. But so far as I know, you cannot use the services of a private podiatrist and then reclaim the cost.

The confusion on the part of your mum's home, if a private one, is that they have, as an organization, no necessity to provide free podiatry services, and therefore no need to understand that a free service is available from the NHS.

Sadly the onus is probably going to be on you, to somehow find a way in which your mum can receive the free NHS treatment to which she is entitled, as opposed to the home's private one.

I'd say that, not to pay for care that has already been provided would not be the wisest step. It could lead to all sorts of complications ending with yourself in a court of law as a debtor.

Your wisest step, to avoid any further payments you do not wish to pay, is to tell the home not to provide any further foot care for your mother, and that you will pursue NHS treatment for her.

And of course foot care she must have. You should approach the GP or GP surgery which cares for your mum at the home, and ask how they intend to provide her with the foot care to which she is entitled. And explain that although there is a private service available at her home, you do not wish to pay for it.

[MAS_Nurse]

Hi Jennymary, this must be very distressing and a worry for you. Have any of our other members experienced something like this where you are charged for something that should be free because the care is for treatment that is normally given by NHS etc.?

I think you would have difficulty reclaiming the monies paid back. However maybe Citizen's Advice service or Age UK may be able to advise you better on this subject.

Possibly contact the NHS chiropody service in the care home area to ensure your Mum is on their list of visits and how frequently.

However I do know the NHS podiatry/chiropody services are very stretched and may not visit as often as is needed so you may have to ask that the private chiropodist occasionally perform the service for your Mum. I hope you are able to get this resolved soon. Best wishes.