Here we go again... this saga started on 10th October.

Mission - to obtain a new pressure cushion for my wheelchair. 16x 16 and 3 inches deep called a Trans Flow 600 or equivalent.
Can not find one on the internet to buy privately - they are over £100. I would buy one myself but can't be sure it is the right kind and the most suitable type.

Previously: HERTFORDSHIRE 1) Told OT from social services 2) Showed her the type and gave size 3) She agreed one of the same would do the job and within a few days got the cushion for me.

Compare this to KENT!

I asked my OT (you may remember him from the door saga).

1) He give me local number of NHS wheelchair service.
2) I try them and they only answer phones before midday... I try several times and over the next weeks eventually got through a few days ago.
3) They said that my GP has to fill in a form to send to them with details about my impairment, wheelchair etc (not they they know this).
4) Phone GP - on holiday so I wait to hear from them.
5) District nurse calls I explain the story so far - they tell me to call my OT.... (I think we have been here before). She offer to phone him for me.

Today

6) District nurse calls again - she has called the NHS wheelchair service who need some details.

7) I phone the wheelchair service back up again. They can not give a cushion until they have records from the place who gave me my NHS chair. They need to know model and size of seat....

I explain this was some 15 years ago in Wales - they can not give a cushion without paper work saying the model and the dimensions.
I tell them the model and size of seat.
They want the paper work from previous NHS Trust.

NHS consults with senior manager.

They now want to know where my last cushion came from - that was HERTS - oh.

8) They phone up Herts and they have not heard of me...

It turns out they didn't know I have been married and were asking under the wrong name.
NHS tell me they may have to call my chair and NHS chair in the absence of any paperwork.

I don't care what they call it.. I just want a [bleeeep] cushion. I tell them this politely.

9) District Nurse calls - she has to complete the referral from to the NHS clinic (remember this from step 3?)

Nurse does not know size of wheelchair or anything about me - I tell her on the phone. She is very nice and is trying to help. NHS staff sound patronising and un helpful.

10) She writes it on the form and sends it to the NHS staff who I have already told this to several times today.

Now I wait to hear from the NHS Wheelchair people again.....

In the meantime I get a numb bum, frustrated and sore... gee thanks NHS - great service.