How many epipens?
Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 7:57 pm
Apologies if this turns out to be a long post.
DS has a severe nut allergy. He has always had 4 epipens - 2 for school and 2 for home - as recommended by the hospital, but the doctors at our local surgery have always questioned this. Every year, they kick up a fuss and every year they eventually agree to the 4 epipens.
One stays at school with Matron and DS carries one around with him. He takes the one that Matron has if he goes on a school trip. This leaves us with 2 at home.
Four years ago, the consultant at the hospital told us that his allergy was so severe that there would be no point in seeing him for at least 5 years. They were going to discharge him and he would have to be referred again at a later date (not sure by whom).
This year, our local doctors are being rather more difficult than usual. They have given us just 2 epipens. This means that now we are one short. We need at least 3 to ensure he has access to 2 pens at all times. I asked the doctor what we are supposed to do if he has a reaction at home. The doctor was unable to give me a satisfactory answer. They have a copy of the letter from the hospital stating that his condition is unlikely to change, but she says there is nothing in his records to say that he is entitled to more than 2 pens. Apparently, another doctor will be ringing me on Monday.
Can they refuse to give him a 3rd pen? I know budgets are tight, but he really does need 3 to be safe. I'm also amazed that after 10 years their records aren't accurate.
DS has a severe nut allergy. He has always had 4 epipens - 2 for school and 2 for home - as recommended by the hospital, but the doctors at our local surgery have always questioned this. Every year, they kick up a fuss and every year they eventually agree to the 4 epipens.
One stays at school with Matron and DS carries one around with him. He takes the one that Matron has if he goes on a school trip. This leaves us with 2 at home.
Four years ago, the consultant at the hospital told us that his allergy was so severe that there would be no point in seeing him for at least 5 years. They were going to discharge him and he would have to be referred again at a later date (not sure by whom).
This year, our local doctors are being rather more difficult than usual. They have given us just 2 epipens. This means that now we are one short. We need at least 3 to ensure he has access to 2 pens at all times. I asked the doctor what we are supposed to do if he has a reaction at home. The doctor was unable to give me a satisfactory answer. They have a copy of the letter from the hospital stating that his condition is unlikely to change, but she says there is nothing in his records to say that he is entitled to more than 2 pens. Apparently, another doctor will be ringing me on Monday.
Can they refuse to give him a 3rd pen? I know budgets are tight, but he really does need 3 to be safe. I'm also amazed that after 10 years their records aren't accurate.