College discrimination

Well as exams are always taken in a hall with all off us together i wouldnt be able to get up and walk/hobble when needed.

I just need a classroom to sit in really. I understand I may need evidence but I can only get that if the college contact the hospital for me. But they keep saying they wont do that. It seems incredibly unreasonable and unprofessional for the college to say that.

I am going to speak to my parents tonight and then possibly ring the college to see if they have someone who makes special requiments for students with disabilities.

Thankyou for your help

Tbh i probably do need the wheelchair. Theres no way i can walk from the carpark to the class. Its just to far so im happy with that.

But none of my medical professionals will write me a letter unless the college write to them first which the college are refusing to do

Would your GP not write you a 'fit note' to say you are fit for the exams but need to be accomodated. Is it the actual GP who has refused to write a letter or the administrator there ? Might be worth speaking to your actual GP if it wasnt him xxxx ps whole thing seems rediculous ! 

It was the actual GP that said they no longer write letters like that. They said they could orint out a summary of my condition and procedures but that wouldnt tell the college im fit or tell them what changes i need would it. And it would cost me a tenner. I can tell them myself what happened haha. Its ridiculously difficult haha and it shouldnt be xxxx

Yes, its just stupid ! The new 'fit notes' - and he must have them as all GP,s do- could work as he could write any accomodation you need the college to apply on that. God , my staff turn up with them all the time , ' fit for work but light duties only '. ' no night shifts' etc etc  It makes me mad when people just cannot apply a bit of common sense to situations like yours , its hardly rocket science Grrrrrrr

Exactly, clearly i live in a crap area were medical proffessionals do not want to help xxxx

Alternatively

a). because I know patients do this and it works , phone ( dont write) to your local MP and discuss it with him/ her - once they get involved things usually happen fast 

b) talk to your local newspaper about how difficult it is to get in to do your exams - all institutions hate bad press ( put some make up on for the photo, hold a study book, and look tearful at your missed opportunity ) 

c) phone the Complaints Dept at your NHS Trust and say you want to make a formal compkaint re the refusal to write a letter for you 

d) Phone the Practice Manager at your surgery and say the same if you cannot have a fit note 

e) quote Disability Discrimination at all of them and say to the NHS you are going to contact the CQC ( Care Quality Commission) 

f) DO all the above tomorrow morning 

stay polite and friendly while you do all this - sometimes its only by being a nuisance that we manage to make ourselves heard / get listened to 

not that I,m a maveric or anything ................ Xxx

Ohh they are interesting ideas. Although i dont even know who our local MP is.

I am going to mention tomorrow when the college ring me if i cannot do this exam i will be complaining and so on. This whole thing would be sorted if the college would just write a letter xxxx

Just google member of parliament for whatever your post code is or phone the local council - they should know xxx

That's a real shame, I'm in Canada and getting ready to return to work and my employer just told me to get a letter from my doctor (which they do here) and whatever the doctor recommends, they'll abide by.

Apparently every other gp does these letters apart from mine. They said they used to and now they stopped

Haha no i do not have a social worker haa. Do you get social workers were your from after this surgery?

And i know. Many people my age and in my position would be using this as an excuse to miss college and the exam. Im doing everything i can to get in and it seems impossible

If you don't have a social worker assigned to you - see if your health authority has one that can help. I see that Bibi is suggesting an all out blitz that could help you (and others that need similar accomodations). Just be careful about burning bridges with people you may want helping you in future. Publicity can sometimes be a double-edged sword.

Wishing I could help ...

The trick is just to stay very friendly and polite , whilst asserting your right to say these things . One of my many NHS jobs was Trust Complaints Manager for a couple of years , and if we were contacted , or the Chief Execs office was, by the local MP , we had to drop everything else and sort out that problem the same day . If you are polite and friendly you cannot burn bridges - i do worry that there is a common misconception that if you complain to the NHS it will affect future care , and know of a number of patients who dont / havent liked to complain because of this . I do appreciate what you are saying Linda but honestly think if its done politely without blaming any individual it can be very effective 

Fair enough. I agree although once you go to the media, it is easy to say something which can be taken out of context.

And .. I did vote for your response because I believe strongly in working within the system where possible, using all opportunities to improve policies and processes. I am not opposed to getting local newspapers involved - just cautious.

No , youre right to be cautious re media - they can be tricky . Thankyou for voting for my response Linda 😊

Yeah im not sure i could go down that route anyway. Im quite concious and wouldnt want my picture plastered all over hha xx

For the record - your comments always seem well-rooted in common sense and experience. You have a lovely but straightforward way of writing that is courteous but direct and practical. A superb and sympathetic contributor.

With admiration.

L

Why thankyou ! Am glad to have been of assistance to others , i just wish I,d known about this forum before my first and second ops rather than just my third - it really us do very supportive and useful . 

Is so , not us do !