One Man Banned Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 ARGHH! :evil: RANT ALERT Just spoken to my Mum and she's had a phonecall from her supplier to tell her her bill is currently over £250 and they are concerned. The reason? She was calling her niece in hospital after she went into premature labour. Heidi had already lost one twin and the whole ordeal was terrible for her. Now my mum is left with this huge bill that she can't afford and I'll be speaking with Joe about paying it for her. How can companies like Patientline exist by taking advantage of people when they are at their most needy. If Heidi was in the local hospital it would have been fine but she was in a hospital miles away and my mum could not be with her. There's been lots of family issues and my mum is the closet relative to her at the moment. It's a sorry road that the NHS had gone down to get money in the bank by allowing Patientline to put their "services" in hospitals. And leaving the rest of us to pick up the bill. A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 How disgusting. Taking advantage of people in distress. Go to your MP, local papers, watchdog. This needs bringing to the public's attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 I agree, it is absolutely disgraceful. A friend of mine was in hospital for several weeks and was becoming quite depressed because although she had visitors she was spending large quantities of time on her own. We were uncertain at the time how bad her injuries were and the long-term effects plus she was worried about having such a long time off work. I couldn't visit her as we live at opposite ends of the country and to call her frequently would have cost an arm and a leg. Someone once said to me that if you really cared about someone then money is irrelevant but I can't see how they can justify such high costs for something as simple and commonly used as a telephone - it's hardly state of the art technology is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Its daylight robbery This country/government has all its priorities wrong and im totally fed up with it....dont get me started on a rant !! When you think you can call australia/NZ for next to nothing nowadays....but when you want to call someone who needs you sick in a hospital bed and you get ripped off. GRrrrrrrrrrrrrr ! complain and take it further Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 I can relate to this story very well Andrew! My FIL spent a few months in hospital last year when he had a triple bypass op and the cost of calling him was just astounding it also cost him a fortune to call us too. Each time we visited we used to buy him a £10 phone/TV card but it didnt last 5 mins - literally! I do hope you manage to get the situation resolved and your relative gets better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 It's outrageous, but a common experience these days. Those phones on wards cost a fortune, but you're not allowed to use mobiles in hospital (something to do with them possibly interfering with electronic medical equipment) and the ward phone isn't generally available for patient phone calls so they've literally got worried families over a barrel. I'd definitely complain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 I wonder what OfCom (is that right?) would say about it? How can Patientline justify these astronomical charges? How much profit does it actually make? If their service really costs that much to provide, then another company needs to be employed. I am shocked with you Andrew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Those phones on wards cost a fortune, but you're not allowed to use mobiles in hospital (something to do with them possibly interfering with electronic medical equipment) My sister is in charge of a ward at The Royal Berks in Reading, & last year she had a burst appendix & found herself being treated post-op on her own ward. She says it truly opened her eyes to how patients are treated & how they cope. She used her mobile on the ward (she was in for nearly 6 weeks due to infection) as she refused to let us pay the extortionate phone fees. She says that its pretty much a myth that phones will interfere with electronic equiptment - but that said she hid her phone whenever a Doctor came around I feel for you & Joe, & especially your poor Mum who must feel horribly gulity at running up a bill like that from just doing the right thing & keeping in contact with a loved one who needed her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Oh that's dreadful but I know you'll be on the case. Hugs BBxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Tell her to use her mobile I spend a lot of time in hospital last year and it just costs sooo much. Childcare for my other two, petrol, parking and then they bung patientline on top. It cost us a fotune,a debt we're still trying to get out of now. After about the third week I started to use my mobile where I could (all the staff do) to save costs. It would be cheaper for your mum to have paid for the patientline as its something like 49p to phone in which is even more than phoning out. Hope you get something sorted. Ps tell Heidi to contact us as at http://www.blissmessageboard.org.uk/ if she hasnt already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 I used to work with a deaf girl who was allowed to use her mobile openly in hospital to send text messages because she couldn't use the phone it is nonsense on a general ward intensive car maybe but not anywhere else Some doctors surgeries are opting for 0870 numbers now because they get back a share of the premium cost of the call it is diabolical Our new Edinburgh Hospital is always in the paper over charges for phones, TV and parking it got so bad student nurses were giving up because they couldn't afford to attend work I went for an interview over there a year ago and it cost me £3 to park for the duration of an interview Definitely take it further Andrew If people complain in vast numbers they will have to rethink their policies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 ....Ps tell Heidi to contact us as at http://www.blissmessageboard.org.uk/if she hasnt already Bronze, I don't think the link worked. But, I can see that your suggestion is a good one, if you can give the details, thanks. Re patientline... .... Only just had recent experience of this for the 1st time, I knew it was expensive but didn't realise just how ridiculously so, and the implications of this, until we experienced it for ourselves. When you think that talking to someone who cares about you is one of the biggest aids to human well being, it is appalling to have this as the only option. Although told of the cost, the person 'phoning in has no idea how it mounts up, and obviously you listen or advise if the patient needs it. I felt callous keeping calls to Father brief & business like, especially when he learnt of his terminal diagnosis. With a wife & 5 children he was worried about how many calls he was making, all this in what turned out to be the last 2 weeks of his life. Some calls were to discuss complicated arrangements for me to collect him & take him to another hospital & then after that bring him home. All this was to avoid using hospital transport, which realistically wouldn't have happened, so it really shouldn't have all been arranged in Patientline time! We were lucky & made our escape but it did bring home to me how devastating those expenses are to others, esp. in worse situations. Andrew, my heart goes out to Heidi for her experience, and to your Mum, who just did what any caring person would do. Also, best wishes to you & Joe in trying to help her out. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 ...ps...a positive thing...isn't it good that her 'phone supplier contacted your Mum about the unusual increase in her bill? Credit where it's due, good to hear that someone acted on keeping a watch over ususual useage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Oh Andrew that's terrible................I hope there is a way this can be sorted out This sort of underhanded way of raising revenue needs to brought to the attention of the general public. I would say to the attention of the 'powers that be' but i suspect they may already be aware of it Surely it's a monoply as there isn't another way to make and receive calls in hospital - unless you sneek your mobile in and then have to try an make calls in secret. They're doing the same with parking charges.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 I think the site was just down (it was earlier) and it should work now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Oh Andrew that's terrible................I hope there is a way this can be sorted out This sort of underhanded way of raising revenue needs to brought to the attention of the general public. I would say to the attention of the 'powers that be' but i suspect they may already be aware of it Surely it's a monoply as there isn't another way to make and receive calls in hospital - unless you sneek your mobile in and then have to try an make calls in secret. They're doing the same with parking charges.......... £3 every time my Mum visited my Gran on car parking I've no idea what someone on a low income would do. I'm with you on this Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share Posted February 22, 2007 £3 every time my Mum visited my Gran on car parking I've no idea what someone on a low income would do. I'm with you on this Andrew That's the problem my mum has right now. She's disabled, lives on her own and only gets the basic benefits. She was worrying last night that as she has to pay her TV licence this month then she could have paid more. I really find it hard to know how she copes, she doesn't have an extravagant lifestyle by any stretch. She lives in Newport and if Heidi was in the local hospital in Newport, it wouldn't have been a problem but they sent Heidi to a hospital in Abergavenny that's not easily accessible by bus for my mum. We will be paying the bill for her though as I can't bear the thought of her struggling. As for getting my brother to chip in to help to........... A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Makes sure she claims a parking permit Most hospitals do a reduced rate for people on pensions or benefits. A lot also do a discounted rate per week if you stay longer than a certain period of time. Even with the long stay permits it cost us over £200 last year I cant imagine what it would have been at full whack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 I agree with you Chelsea, it is daylight robbery Those phones on wards cost a fortune, but you're not allowed to use mobiles in hospital (something to do with them possibly interfering with electronic medical equipment) My sister is in charge of a ward at The Royal Berks in Reading, & last year she had a burst appendix & found herself being treated post-op on her own ward. She says it truly opened her eyes to how patients are treated & how they cope. She used her mobile on the ward (she was in for nearly 6 weeks due to infection) as she refused to let us pay the extortionate phone fees. She says that its pretty much a myth that phones will interfere with electronic equiptment - but that said she hid her phone whenever a Doctor came around My best friend works on an ITU and never has her phone off. Even the doctors keep them on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share Posted February 22, 2007 She does have her blue badge for parking but as yet she can't drive My birthday present to her last September was her driving licence. With the help of Motability they will give her a grant for driving lessons and then we chose the car she wants - a Chevrolet Matiz, not my choice but with lightweight plastic doors and automatic with no modifications needed, for her it's ideal and she loves it! So excited that she'll learn to drive again. Since her divorce she has really gotten used to her growing independence and the disability issue will not hold her back too much! A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Chookiehubbie was in hospital recently, and the only bed they could find him was in a ward full of patients all deemed to be a danger to themselves, so there was no locks on the loo doors, and nothing with wires allowed in the room, including the usual patiant phones. He was allowed to keep his mobile on, and use it, and was assured by the nurses that there are actually very few areas of the hospital where mobiles weren't allowed to be used. As for parking charges..... You go to hospital, recieve bad news, then get kept hanging around for a few hours while they try and sort things out, because there isn't enough beds/staff whatever to get things done quickly, then get charged £10 in parking fees, just to top your day off..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 It is outrageous isn't it? When my father in Law was ill, my mother in Law went every day to visit with him in a hospital in Huntingdon. £10 a day to park! Of course, we didn't mind the odd tenner here and there when we visited, as it was for a good cause, but he was ill for over 2 years! She must have spent literally thousands on parking! She ended up being befriended by a lovely nurse, who told her where to park in the staff bit, where she woudn't be caught out, but its so emotive, taking money off people who are distressed enough as it is. Oh, and we got a parking ticket on the morning he died: So in a rush to get in there, that we forgot to go to the machine. I bet we're not alone in that happening either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Whe I had Caitlin, my waters broke in the morning, and I drove myself to the hospital, convinced they would examine me, and send me away as I hadn't started any contraction. I arrived, parked the car in the car park, was examined, and admitted straight away, becuase she was in an unstable lie. Then my handbag was taken from me, and locked away, becuase I was basically taken straight to theatre for an emergency section. By the time I got my handbag (and car keys!) back, we had to pay for 2 full days of parking, fair enough - I was stupid enough to drive myself to hospital - but not one member of staff thought o inform us that the barrier to the car park would be raised to give 2 days of free parking over New Year, and if we had waited another 6 hours, we could have got the car out for nothing...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 My sympathies are with you Andrew, I think it is disgusting that they charge you so much for using the phones in hospitals and the car parking charges are horrendous Complain, complain, complain Bets wishes to you, Joe and your mum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted March 14, 2007 Share Posted March 14, 2007 Good news Andrew http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6449557.stm It may help for the future Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
