How to help my Grandma?

[Jonboy_t]

She has Spinal Stenosis and relies on 6 monthly pain relieving injections (presuming hydrocortisone or similar, but not 100%). Her usual doctor made a recurring appointment for her every 5 1/2 months to have the injection and did this for a couple of years, so she was all good, but he has now retired and he new GP has refused to do this, so she must go through the motions again every six months. She has now been told that the 'motions' are going to take a couple of months at best and that she can't start the wheels going for at least six months after her last injection, so it's going to be at least 8 or 9 months between them.

She now hasn't had one for nearly a year and is in fking agony 24/7. This is a 86 year old lass who lives on her own, 300 miles from me, and she now can't get out of her house for the pain. I'm going up there on 27th (first I can get off work) and hope to have a word with the surgery to see if I can perhaps lean a bit heavier than she does - I don't hold much hope though.

So, what could I do? She needs this injection, she can't wait for it. Could I phone a local private place and pay to get her in? If I get her in to a private place to get it done now, will this balls up her chances of getting back on the GP regular appointments? I have no idea how this works, so any help anyone can lend is appreciated.

(Sorry if this isn't overly clear, my head is bubbling at the moment after just getting off the phone to her).

[Davel]

Can you not ring her surgery and ask for advice?

I realise that they might refuse to talk to you but it must be worth a try.

[Jonboy_t]

Sorry, should have said that! I'm going to give them a call tomorrow, but I'm pretty sure they won't even entertain it so I'm kind of geeing myself up for what I can do after!

[Davel]

Might she be willing to give you power of attorney or whatever it's called, then you could act on her behalf - I think!

Of course, it would have to be done legally.

Could be bks...

[Simon Brooks]

My understanding is that provided the surgery hold her written consent to discuss her medical conditions with you, this is all they need for you as a nominated person to act in her interest

[Planet Claire]

Davel said:

Might she be willing to give you power of attorney or whatever it's called, then you could act on her behalf - I think!

On that note, it used to be Enduring Power of Attorney, which is still valid, but now it's called Lasting Power of Attorney. You can get one or both of the two types available. One is to do with health and welfare and the other is around property and financial matters. For more information on this subject have a look at the gov.uk website:
https://www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney/overview

Thinking long-term, it may be worth doing this now whilst your Grandma is in relatively good health and has mental capacity, rather than having to do it for an emergency.

[Jonboy_t]

So, just got off the phone to them and, as expected, they can't discuss anything with me. Can't be too dissapointed I suppose, it's not their fault, just the rules, but it doesn't make it any less frustrating!

The power of attourney thing is being dealt with by another member of our family, but my Grandma, god bless her, is still firmly in possession of her full faculties and is off the generation that doesn't want to bother anyone with her problems, so it's going to take a while to convince her it's worth it.

[Xerstead]

Surely she could ask to change doctors, there may be another in the same practice who could help her. Even if she needs to visit another surgery it sounds litre it would be worth the effort.

[Xerstead]

Surely she could ask to change doctors, there may be another in the same practice who could help her. Even if she needs to visit another surgery it sounds litre it would be worth the effort.

[K50 DEL]

Sorry to hear about your Grandmother's suffering, afraid I can't help a great deal other than to say that if it is Cortisone injections she's having then it looks like they are available privately at around 200 quid a pop.
This place does them, albeit mostly sports related but I'm guessing if one place does it then others will as well.

http://cortisonelondon.co.uk/

[Jonboy_t]

K50 DEL said:

Sorry to hear about your Grandmother's suffering, afraid I can't help a great deal other than to say that if it is Cortisone injections she's having then it looks like they are available privately at around 200 quid a pop.
This place does them, albeit mostly sports related but I'm guessing if one place does it then others will as well.

http://cortisonelondon.co.uk/

Cheers, will take a look into that. I'm trying to find out what injection it should be from her, but the stubborn old bird won't say because she doesn't want anyone making a fuss about her