I was due a delivery of Enbrel today between 8 and 1. No results on the HAH eta website all morning, so I rang their number, only to be placed on hold. When I get through to an operative, she informs me that my delivery will be by courier, so will be with me, "about now, but by 1 o'clock". It's 12.30 now. Five minutes later, someone knocks on the door, but no van outside. A fella with my meds tucked under his sweaty armpit gives me my Enbrel and informs me that he's going to deliver it from now on, and "only lives in the next road, so I know where you are." I asked what happened to the delivery drivers, and he informed me that it had been contracted out, and it would be him from here on. When I asked about signing, (as I've always signed those little electronic pads: one can't be too careful about what is, after all, not only a powerful drug, but an exceptionally expensive one), he waved his arm and told me it didn't matter. This fella wore no ID. I asked if it had been kept refrigerated, as it isn't going to be very effective for me if it hasn't: "Since 6 am this morning". Marvellous!! Is it a separate or a domestic fridge? Does he keep all his ready meals, bacon & sausages in his fridge, or is it solely for patient's meds refrigeration? I deliberately keep my meds in a separate fridge so it doesn't get overcrowded. My meds box was crushed as well. I'm not a happy bunny.
Yet another issue with HAH.: I was due a delivery of... - NRAS
Yet another issue with HAH.
Disgusting.... report to medical information. You will get Number for your local pharmacy.
Another irate client of HAH.
That's awful - I'd definitely make a formal complaint.
I would too complain.xxx
Definitely complain! No way that is acceptable. I would not use any med if I didn't know for sure it had been refrigerated properly. Suggest you let NRAS know too, they're holding a watching brief. And make your complaint formal, confirming in writing, otherwise there is no record. M x
I would not only complain to HC@H but also inform your hospital as they are paying for this service. When I heard about the 50mg pen not being available, I sent an email to the address given, received a rapid response stating they would respond within 48 hours, ams till waiting three weeks later!
I too would complain do it in writing to HAH and to your rhumatology nurse and definitely to NRAS, I'm the coordinator of my local group and I've told all my group who deal with HAH to do the same.
You can't take risks with injectable meds and you don't know for definate where he is storing your meds or how long they have been out of the fridge.
Complain.
Dear Andrea_Shapiro
Healthcare at Home would very much like to address this problem and are taking it very seriously. They would like to speak to you if possible directly.
To enable them to address this issue please email me separately on clare@nras.org.uk with your best contact details.
Regards
Clare
Director of External Affairs
Oh my .. I understand the HaH worries .. although I haven't had my Humiras kept warm under a delivery guy's arm pit! YUK. I would be very upset too for him to say he is close by and knows where you are, even if meant in the way so he won't let you down. Yes, where the heck is he keeping them?! (you did make me laugh out loud .. with his bacon and sausages!!) but seriously, this is not on and you should get in touch with HaH and tell your Rheumy. I did speak to my usual HaH delivery guy in January who told me that a new head office location meant many drivers would not be able to easily operate out of it so were going to be redundant. That new delivery options would happen. I was also given a double delivery of Humira (eight!!) which I thought odd and mentioned it but the paperwork said eight, so took it and stored it in my fridge but felt a bit uneasy I had so much but my thinking was .. better for me to have it than have the crazy problems trying to get in touch with HaH that I had in December. Anyhow hope you get this sorted and all goes well. x
Just saw Clare's post. I do hope all is soon sorted, Andrea. Jokes apart about fridges etc, that would bother me too. xx