Residents in fight for healthcare support in East Lindsey

In the week a review into the county’s healthcare outlining a ‘Case for change’ was launched in Lincolnshire, two readers shared their stories of battles to get financial support and vital equipment.

Gail Sanders, of Cavendish Road, said she couldn’t believe it when her Personnel Independent Payment (PIP) was cut – in spite of already winning three tribunals to get it reinstated.

Mrs Sanders, who is doubly incontinent, said: “I need the payment to cover the expense of having to buy large quantities of hygiene products.

“I’m hoping to have an operation at St James’s University Hospital in Leeds and it was suggested to me that I applied for Motability to help with expenses.

“We are really struggling with money at the moment because my husband is employed for a local ice-cream company and, with the bad weather, there has not been much work.

“I couldn’t believe it when not only was I refused Motability, the DWP (Department of Work and Pensions) had also stopped my PIP again.

“Every time I have to go to court the magistrates ask why I am there because my circumstances haven’t changed. I get my PIP back but it’s such a waste of time and money. It’s all very stressful, which isn’t helping my condition.”

Alford mum Claire Little contacted the Skegness Standard about the ongoing battle she is having with Lincolnshire County Council’s Children with Disibility team.

She said: “I want everyone to know how the Children with Disabilities Team are treating my family and my youngest daughter, Hope, who has cerebral palsy.

“We have issues with a house chair that my daughter is using. It needs replacing and we want the same model but the Children with Disabilities Team is pushing a certain chair we know isn’t right for her. It’s too narrow, uncomfortable and she could trap her leg in it. We believe it’s a cheaper model. Also, her brother and sister would not be able to push her in it, limiting her ability to play with them.

“Parents should have the right to choose - they know their children best. Everything has been a constant battle from day one.”

Spilsby mum Dominique Le Prevost held a candlelit vigil in Spilsby in April to raise awareness of the struggle facing carers.

Her seven-year-old son, Sebastien, cannot speak, self-harms, has problems walking and is doubly incontinent.

She contacted the Skegness Standard in April because Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) had restricted Sebastien to four nappies a day and she had been refused help from the mental health service.

At the time, LCHS said it would not comment on individual cases but that no services had been cut. The Trust also said the concerns will be investigated and parents can contact them directly.

Mrs Le Prevost said: “Our fight is still ongoing.

“Any cuts in services hurt the most vulnerable people and that to me is not acceptable in a modern society.

“We are now in a position to effect real change and reverse the damage austerity has brought on people. If this review focuses on care and not cost then Lincolnshire services might just recover.

“If not it will leave people suffering, in pain and dying. This is not an extreme view but one based on our experience of this NHS trust.”

Lincolnshire County Council has responded to an enquiry regarding Mrs Little’s situation.

Sheridan Dodsworth, children’s services manager, said: “We are aware of this issue and have been offering support and advice to the family. We will continue to offer this support together with other involved professionals.”

The DWP were still looking into Mrs Sanders’ case at the time of going to press. A spokesman said: “Decisions on eligibility for Personal Independence Payment are made after consideration of all the evidence, including an assessment and information provided by the claimant and their GP. When cases are overturned, it is usually because new evidence is submitted to the Tribunal that was not previously supplied by the claimant.”

* A review into the county’s healthcare has launched a document laying out what it calls its ‘Case for change’ in Lincolnshire.

Lincolnshire Health and Care (LHAC), which began in 2013 under the Lincolnshire Sustainable Services Review, is looking to prevent a deficit in the county’s health system which could reach up to £300 million by 2021.

The latest document lays out potential plans, including making some services single-sited, sharing services, using partners and better technology to provide better care and creating specialist hospitals and urgent care centres.

It also goes over some of the reasons change is needed, including staff shortages, finances, and in some cases, such as A&E, the oversubscription of services.

A spokesman for the LHAC told The Standard that A&E would not be closing at any site.

Allan Kitt, chief officer for the LHAC programme, said: “We all believe very strongly that the people of Lincolnshire deserve the best care that we can give them.

“If we are really to deliver on this ambition we must accept that some of the services now will have to change radically.”

Read more:

Disabled mum vows to fight on for disabled sonMum’s vigil of hope in SpilsbyRead more

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http://www.skegnessstandard.co.uk/news/local/mum-s-vigil-of-hope-in-spilsby-over-care-1-7342786#ixzz4DSiTOa00,