DN's definitely do go to nursing homes (or at least are required to do so
when required) and the location of a patient should not be allowed to
adversely affect NHS expertise/services they are entitled to.
We had a query locally with DN's on the ground saying they did not do
private nursing homes, but a written query to the MD of comm. nursing
services asking them for a copy/confirmation of that policy got the managers
to correct that misconception.
Quite OK IMO for the DN's to assess (but they should assess rather than
assume) that certain nursing needs normally sourced from DN's are being
provided by private nursing staff, but if there's a missing piece of service
normally supplied to patients in their home, that still falls to NHS DN
service to provide. That includes any specialised nursing needs not within
the capabilities of the "vanilla" nursing service (which may be private or
NHS) such as COPD/palliation/neuro/asthma where they would be expected to
provide expertise/guidance on a floating basis as normal, whether to private
nurses or NHS DN's.
It may simply be an acquired misconception of DN's on the ground. I would
start with a formal query to the director DN/PCT to confirm the actual
policy (+/- cc to MP to concentrate the minds) and only escalate if it
transpires there actually is an uneven policy in existence.
Saul
-----Original Message-----
From: GP-UK [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kathryn Law
Sent: 12 March 2009 08:10
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Paying for infusion sets
That is really helpful, thank you.
KT
On Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:47:31 -0000
Alistair Holmes <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
> Dear Kathryn,
> Have not done this before so behind loop my reply was
>to point out
> that for her to pay for prescriptions seems wrong given
>the rules. However
> if you look at the University College Shared Care
>guideline on apomorphine
> infusion which can be seen in one iteration at
> http://www.fifeadtc.scot.nhs.uk/interface/fife_scp/apomorphine.pdf
> Page 19 says infusion sets are not prescribable but
>supplied by the District
> Nursing Service
> This seems a very authoritative source for this advice
>and I'm sure the
> trust is v please your relative is paying but a further
>check on background
> with the Parkinson's Disease Society reveals the
>following information sheet
> http://www.parkinsons.org.uk/pdf/FS26_1108_web.pdf
> Which says the same.
> I suggest you challenge them to explain why this has
>been demanded of her,
> if the explaination is because she is in a nursing home
>and DN's do not go
> there, then I would engage with her MP along the lines
>of why are they not
> paying for her necessary nursing care.
> Alistair
>
> -----Original Message-----
>From: Kathryn Law [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 11 March 2009 18:26
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Paying for infusion sets
>
>
> So are all these accessories for the pump available on
> prescription?
>
> KT
>
> On Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:18:32 -0000
> Alistair Holmes <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
>>From
>> "FP92a Application for prescription charge exemption
>>(medical)
>> A continuing physical disability which means I cannot go
>>out without the
>> help of another person. Temporary disabilties do not
>>count even if they last
>> for several months."
>> I would have thought from your synopsis this clause
>>would apply
>> Alistair
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>>From: Geoff Schrecker [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>> Sent: 11 March 2009 17:51
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: Paying for infusion sets
>>
>>
>> 2009/3/11 Kathryn Law <[log in to unmask]>:
>>> Does anyone know what the rules are for payment for the
>>>tubing and
>>> infusion sets that are attached to a pump for
>>>subcutaneous
>>> apomorphine in a Parkinsons patient who is under 60?
>>>
>>> My sister in law is now in a nursing home with
>>>Parkinsons and has an
>>> apomorphine pump for 12 hours a day. She has all her DLA
>>>taken to pay
>>> for the home, and is permitted "pocket money" but out of
>>>this she is
>>> expected to pay privately it seems for the tubing and
>>>needles for the
>>> pump, which is apparently £104 per month, which is more
>>>than she has
>>> as pocket money. She is in her mid 50s so still pays for
>>> prescriptions.
>>>
>>> It seems anomalous, as my daughter has an insulin pump
>>>for diabetes
>>> and it appears all the tubing and stuff is supplied
>>>(just as well as
>>> student budgets don't stretch that far!)
>>>
>>> KT
>>
>>
>> A question for your local MP I suspect!
>>
>> Cheers Geoff
>>
>> --
>> Please avoid sending me Word or PowerPoint attachments
>>unless by prior
>> arrangement. See
>>http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html
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