Brain cancer victim is 'stuck in a care equipment vicious circle'
"I SHOULDN'T be having to fight for the help I need – I should just be concentrating on getting better."
Those were the words of 65-year-old David Aisthorpe, who was diagnosed with brain cancer last year.
-
David Aisthorpe and Jo Fowler
Mr Aisthorpe, who has had two operations to remove two tumours, completed his fifth bout of chemotherapy treatment earlier this month and requires round-the-clock care.
But the former window cleaner says he is struggling to cope living in his Nunsthorpe home because of a battle to obtain basic equipment.
Mr Aisthorpe, who for many years ran a daily fish round to Leeds, and his partner Jo Fowler say they have been "passed from pillar to post" in their attempts to get the equipment he needs to live a more comfortable life.
The couple, who are planning to get married later this month, say they and family members have forked out a total of £1,500 on equipment to help Mr Aisthorpe, including a £700 chair where he spends most of his day.
But, while they have been given a stair lift and grab rails since his diagnosis last year, their requests for other basic equipment, including a commode chair and a glider sheet to get in and out of bed more easily, have been sent round in circles.
The couple say that they have been in "constant contact" with the occupational therapy team and the A3 adults social services care section at the North East Lincolnshire's Care Trust Plus.
Mr Aisthorpe said: "It is like being stuck in a vicious circle – we can't seem to get anywhere.
"When we ring occupational therapy they tell us to ring A3, but when we call them they put us back on to occupational therapy."
A spokeswoman for North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus confirmed Mr Aisthorpe received an occupational therapy visit at the hospice yesterday.
Read the full story in today's Grimsby Telegraph.
9 Comments
by Natalya Jagger, UK
Saturday, September 04 2010, 6:18PM
“I run a UK brain tumour charity and read this story today. It is very sad that basic care needs are being overlooked and I am sure David's story isn't the only one out there.
If I can be of any help to the family please pass my contact details on.
Best wishes
Natalya”
by veronica needham, dallas texas usa
Saturday, September 04 2010, 2:29AM
“david aisthorpe is my ex brother -in law I have known all of my life . He has worked all of his life and never complained about anything Please for gods sake read this and remember when Great Britain was great, and we took care of our own. Love you Dave Veronica & Richard”
by Neil, Clee 2
Friday, September 03 2010, 1:28PM
“My very best wishes on your forthcoming marriage. I hope it all goes well.”
by Neil Jones, Clee 2
Friday, September 03 2010, 1:25PM
“"Is Josh employed",Me? I do not know. What I do know is that he is a right wing fruitcake who has lost the plot. £800bn? Still completely wrong.”
by Me, Gy
Friday, September 03 2010, 12:44PM
“Joshua, could I ask, Are you employed?
Good luck to Mr Aisthorpe in his quest.”
by Observer, Humberston
Friday, September 03 2010, 11:56AM
“As an addendum to my earlier post.
Staff in the caring professions should be a little more aware of the distress that they can cause by bouncing people back and forth from one agency to another. It only takes a little effort and better communication on their part to prevent this happening.”
by Observer, Humberston
Friday, September 03 2010, 11:37AM
“I have great sympathy for Mr Aisthorpes case and I can't see why things like a commode chair and a glider sheet are beyond the resources of the NHS.
I do take exception though to Joshuas comment that providing care "however costly this may be" should be the norm. Obviously judgements have to be made, difficult as they may be. There's not a bottomless pit provided by the tax payer.”
by Joshua, great Coates
Friday, September 03 2010, 10:26AM
“angry@the system, grimsby
commented on 03-Sep-2010 09:20
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you won't go on "Angry" I will.
We are supposed to be an advanced and civilized country but unless you are, as stated by "Angry" a druggee etc: inclusive of an Immigrant, Ethnic Minority, or live in any of the 90 different countries, to which our gov freely gives money away to the tune of £800billion each year, you have no chance of receiving the care you deserve as your human right.
It is all very well preaching and practising the EU, PC & HR rubbish for the criminal, druggy and immigrants, but doesn't this gov realise the EU, PC & HR also applies to the good, decent, law abiding citizens also? none more than Mr Aisthorpe and hundreds more like him in the county.
We pay our taxes and obey the laws in the UK we are also entitled to medical treatment too, however costly this may be.
There is a price on medical treatment in this country but not if you live in any one of the 90 countries our gov gives our tax money away every year while people like Mr Aisthorpe suffer. Spend our taxes at home in the UK on people like Mr Aisthorpe and to hell with other countries.
Do you think the other countries would bother with us if we wanted this aid? The answer is an emphatic no, as most of the countries we give aid to are the countries that try to ¿blow us up¿ with their terror bombs.
So --- CAMERON --- listen to Jo Fowler and for god sake give them ALL the assistance they require to make the remaining part of his life a little less painful.”
by angry@the system, grimsby
Friday, September 03 2010, 9:20AM
“Unfortunaletly you are not a drug user, or your condition caused by the use of illegal drugs!!!! now if you was they would be throwing money and services at you!!! paying for taxi's to n from the clinics, offering you a grant every year of 1k. ... but yet people who are in real need have to pay for equipment themselves...The system stinks, people whom become ill through now fault of their own get practically no help what so ever!! carers struggle with little money!!
I could go on but i wont!!.
Hope you get it sorted in the end. just keep pushing”