So get this…
Dad needs to go to a rehab hospital for specialist physiotherapy. Of the two suitable establishments, one is nearby and accessible by public transport. The other isn’t. Both Mum and I had done our darndest to explain why we really needed Dad to go to the handy one not the middle-of-nowhere option (neither Mum nor I drive) but we were both repeatedly told no — and not only that but if Dad didn’t go where he was sent, there’d be no option for therapy at all. We were also told that he’d been rejected by G hospital on cognitive grounds, whatever that means. This was a bit of a puzzle because aside for being bored and depressed, Dad is utterly fine in the head. The doctors have confirmed that he has no actual brain damage.
So where is Dad tonight? In the rehab hospital we want him to be in. Why? Because of the intervention of a certain local Mayor who took it upon herself to butt in when she heard the story (everybody in my parent’s suburb knows everybody else and they all gossip). Hey Presto! Dad is where he needs to be. It shits me that it has to happen like this, but all the same, I’m glad it happened. Thank you Ms Mayor, and thanks for the big bunch of flowers sent over by the council too. You people rock.
24 Comments
Yes, because government run healthcare is so perfect and wonderful and nothing ever goes wrong when the penpushers are in charge …
So pleased for your Dad, and you and your mum.
The G rehab facility is private. We really don’t get why they didn’t want him. Mum says the corridors are full of people in far worse cognitive condition than Dad.
Oh, so it’s equal opportunity douchebaggery! That’s a relief … D: Not!
Never mind. All that matters is that your dad’s in the right place. Here’s to his ongoing recuperation.
yeah, that’s what I figure. The sooner he’s home the better. In all my life I’ve never experienced him being so depressed before.
Thanks heavens for that, Cat! The logic of the official mind is passing strange.
I’m so glad that it was able to be worked out.
Trust me, the extra stress placed on yourself when accessability is made harder is not something you need.
And I am really glad that your Dad is on the mend.
Thanks
It comes down to money. Trust me on this.
At least I know its not Lady D. That place needed packed supplies and a troop of native carriers to find it.
Maybe he was *too* fine in the head for them to want him?
Corruption sucks, but sometimes you have to just TAKE it. The hospital grind is hard enough on the soul. Yay for the mayor!
Hi Cat,
I was friends with Rachael at NSGHS, and have been following your blog since I heard about your dad. I’m so glad he didn’t end up at H.
My mum spent a couple of weeks there last year for rehab. They’re very competent, and the rehab has made a big difference to her quality of life, but she felt very isolated and out of place amongst the many “almost nursing home” patients. From the sounds of your dad, I doubt it would have been the right place for him.
Here’s to a continued strong recovery for him!
Take care,
Miriam W.
Thanks Miriam
Go Ms Mayoress! Nice work for the peoples. Glad your Dad is on the mend and there’s nothing so wrong with him he won’t recover from it.
Hooray for a sensible minded beaurocrat somewhere. Even if, as you say, it shouldn’t have to happen like this.
What a relief! (I meant to ask you about it over the weekend, but we were never in the same place for long enough!)
Glad to hear this got settled! When my grandfather was sent to a rehab center, the hospital folks in charge also wanted to send him to the farthest possible one, rather than the more conveniently located one. I think my parents basically had to stamp their feet and be stubborn toddlers in order to get him placed in the close-to-home one. Hope your dad can come home soon!
good for the Mayor to stand up for your Dad, and being able for you and your Mom to get where he is at is always better for both patient and family.
Sucks that it happened that way, but heart warming to hear that community spirit lives on.
yeah. Social capital — the most useful currency of all…
Well, given that the NSW State Govt is totally fucking useless, it’s all we have.
K x
yeah
Hooray for your mayor. I’m so glad she was able to make the right things happen. I hope your dad gets home very soon. Once he gets home I bet a lot if not all the depression will subside.
yeah, I agree. He is so not the depressive type.
Been out of the loop due to frustrating internet dropouts.
Great to hear your dad is where he should be. Sorry to hear it’s been such an ordeal to get him there. It sucks that it doesn’t just happen. Good on you for fighting for it. And good on Ms Mayor. Sometimes you’ve just got to pull the right strings …
Hi! I was thinking you’d been quiet lately!