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Post by happyem on Jan 19, 2013 16:37:28 GMT -7
 I'm so frustrated and need to vent, so please bear with me. I have one liner that fits me, which I've had for around 18 months now. I've spent most of the past year requesting a new one from my prosthetist, since I wear my leg all day and could really do with one to wash and one to wear (stairs between bathroom and bedroom so I have to rely on my partner washing my liner for me once I'm in bed and have finally taken my leg off for the day). I've had many, many assurances from my prosthetist that he'll order me one, but it never arrives. In December, I saw my prosthetist with the rehab consultant for pre amp and decided to ask once again, in front of the consultant, in the hope he'd finally order me one. Still nothing. I rang the DSC this week to chase it up and after 3 days of me phoning every day, was finally told second hand that he can't remember me asking and won't order one now since I'm having a neuroma removed at the same time as my second BKA at the end of the month and he believes that this may cause changes in volume. Arghhh! Anyone else have this much trouble getting new liners out of the NHS? I know the manufacturer's guarantee is usually only 6 months, but how long does the NHS expect liners to last? I'm tempted to make a complaint but concerned that it might impact on my future treatment there, particularly since my prosthetist is the manager and I'll soon be reliant on this DSC for both legs. Any thoughts? Thanks for the space to let off steam, I feel a bit calmer now 
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Post by allenuk on Jan 20, 2013 2:56:41 GMT -7
Some centres are meaner than others, Em. Mine (Stanmore) sends out liners without much effort. I sent my prosthetist an email showing some cracks in my last graduated liner, and got a new one within a week.
Other places see their job as almost adjuncts to the government, and save money in all sorts of ludicrous ways - like yours.
Complaint? Not yet - but try WRITING a letter to the bloke, copied to the consultant. These people HATE letters - you can't argue that you haven't been told something when it's there in black and white.
(Strictly between ourselves, though, I think your reason for wanting a second liner might be a bit luxurious - many of us, particularly without partners, have to find a way of washing them, drying them, and sitting about in the bathroom waiting for them to dry! Or you could always get a transfer to Stanmore...)
Allen.
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Post by ann- on Jan 20, 2013 6:51:45 GMT -7
luxurious Allen !!!! one liner in 18 months!!
I go through about two per year, on one leg, and use them on alternate days, mine though are thick to protect skin graft and have been advised not to let them get too worn. But if you are wearing ill fitting sockets they are going to wear out a whole lot sooner.
I would think you have justification to get a second one by now Emily, think I'd be wanting to use a new one after the surgery anyway, my experience is they become a bit smelly and out of shape after a time. If it was me I'd be pushing for a new one, go higher if they don't respond to your calls.
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ann58
Female Member 
Posts: 278
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Post by ann58 on Jan 20, 2013 7:45:37 GMT -7
I'm so frustrated and need to vent, so please bear with me. I have one liner that fits me, which I've had for around 18 months now. I've spent most of the past year requesting a new one from my prosthetist, since I wear my leg all day and could really do with one to wash and one to wear (stairs between bathroom and bedroom so I have to rely on my partner washing my liner for me once I'm in bed and have finally taken my leg off for the day). I've had many, many assurances from my prosthetist that he'll order me one, but it never arrives. In December, I saw my prosthetist with the rehab consultant for pre amp and decided to ask once again, in front of the consultant, in the hope he'd finally order me one. Still nothing. I rang the DSC this week to chase it up and after 3 days of me phoning every day, was finally told second hand that he can't remember me asking and won't order one now since I'm having a neuroma removed at the same time as my second BKA at the end of the month and he believes that this may cause changes in volume. Arghhh! Anyone else have this much trouble getting new liners out of the NHS? I know the manufacturer's guarantee is usually only 6 months, but how long does the NHS expect liners to last? I'm tempted to make a complaint but concerned that it might impact on my future treatment there, particularly since my prosthetist is the manager and I'll soon be reliant on this DSC for both legs. Any thoughts? Thanks for the space to let off steam, I feel a bit calmer now Here in the USA it takes several days to receive most liners...being such a hassle, I tend to wait way too long to call for a new one. That being said, I would guess its partly my fault. BUT there is nothing worse than doing battle about the little things that just absolutely drive u nuts. Good luck. |
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Post by allenuk on Jan 20, 2013 8:54:58 GMT -7
Just to be clear: I think all amputees should get whatever they want, when they want it!
But given the current state of the NHS in Britain, to ask for another liner to wear while one is being cleaned - you might swing it at Stanmore (generous people), but some meaner limb-fitting centres would be a different matter.
I wish you well in your quest, Em.
A
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Post by happyem on Jan 20, 2013 15:20:37 GMT -7
Thanks for the comments and suggestions, it's really useful to know what sort of lifespan other people are getting from their liners. Allen I like your idea of writing a letter before going through the complaints procedure, feels more appropriate at this stage. I was surprised though that you consider my grounds 'a luxury'. Maybe I should have made it clearer in my original post but I didn't go back asking for a replacement liner on the grounds that I want one to wash and one to wear, knowing the NHS as I do I waited what I felt was a decent period (8-9 months) and then started requesting a replacement. During this time I continued to wear an old liner on every other day, unfortunately my old liners are now completely shot and far too big (30cm, I now need a 26.5). Frankly given that I work a 50-60 hour week and have 3 children (as well as a very long suffering partner) I don't have the 'luxury' of time to sit in my bathroom waiting for my liner to be dry enough for me to wear - I barely have enough time to shower every day. I also have constant fungal skin infections on my stump and I'm sure my elderly (and yes, slightly smelly) liner isn't helping, particularly as I frequently have to put it on whilst it's still damp. As I'm sure you'll appreciate Allen, when it comes to the tools that we require to enable us to live our daily lives, there are very few luxury items.
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Post by allenuk on Jan 21, 2013 2:36:47 GMT -7
Sorry Em - I read you message too quickly, and went away with the notion that the only reason you wanted a spare liner was for that reason. Apologies!
A
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Post by happyem on Jan 21, 2013 12:23:46 GMT -7
No problem Allen, I've been known to do the same thing myself ;-)
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Post by stonecutter on Jan 21, 2013 14:05:03 GMT -7
You guys are going to email me daggers, but here they are given out in pairs.
I currently have holes worn in each one though and have since November. Waiting sucks. I can relate...
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Post by barclay on Jan 21, 2013 20:12:38 GMT -7
I have to admit, in Austria there are few problems with things like that. But, stupid as it sounds, I learned something from this - it never occurred to me to have a second liner. I have a second leg (a KBM) that I wear at home and have always taken traveling- It would be simpler just to have take a second liner.
I wonder though, if the leg isn't healthier for having the second system which allows more air circulation ? I don't have (knock wood) the skin problems some here do.
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Post by ann- on Jan 22, 2013 0:17:59 GMT -7
I have to admit, in Austria there are few problems with things like that. But, stupid as it sounds, I learned something from this - it never occurred to me to have a second liner. I have a second leg (a KBM) that I wear at home and have always taken traveling- It would be simpler just to have take a second liner. I wonder though, if the leg isn't healthier for having the second system which allows more air circulation ? I don't have (knock wood) the skin problems some here do. Likewise, Cynthia, am sure my leg is better from having a second liner, the new ones I find always come up a bit tighter on the leg, so some days alternating a old and new one works for me too, do always try and keep a previous older one on standby too, if I am doing something which takes more energy the leg gets very hot and sweaty, which is not good for the skin graft, so swopping to an old liner cools it down a bit, and enables me to keep walking. |
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Post by allenuk on Jan 22, 2013 3:05:36 GMT -7
Trying to get an ELASTOPLAST out of some of the tighter corners of the NHS is currently very hard going - in the UK we call it a 'postcode lottery'. Do you have something similar, i.e. a 'zip-code lottery', so depending on where you live you get better or worse treatment? Don't suppose it applies to privately insured patients, of course.
A
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Post by barclay on Jan 22, 2013 21:46:51 GMT -7
Probably, though I have only have the Viennese insurance so I can't compare. I have a supplementary insurance (Vvan Breda) - they won't pay a thing for the legs :-(
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I'm so frustrated and need to vent, so please bear with me. I have one liner that fits me, which I've had for around 18 months now. I've spent most of the past year requesting a new one from my prosthetist, since I wear my leg all day and could really do with one to wash and one to wear (stairs between bathroom and bedroom so I have to rely on my partner washing my liner for me once I'm in bed and have finally taken my leg off for the day). I've had many, many assurances from my prosthetist that he'll order me one, but it never arrives. In December, I saw my prosthetist with the rehab consultant for pre amp and decided to ask once again, in front of the consultant, in the hope he'd finally order me one. Still nothing. I rang the DSC this week to chase it up and after 3 days of me phoning every day, was finally told second hand that he can't remember me asking and won't order one now since I'm having a neuroma removed at the same time as my second BKA at the end of the month and he believes that this may cause changes in volume. Arghhh! 
