opinionated but relevant

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Selfish Cunt!

toast99 | 14 October, 2005 10:55

I work for a national charity in the UK, which is the UK part of a worldwide charitable organisation. My job is two-fold, firstly providing medical equipment on a short-term loan basis to patients discharged from hospital or on referral from their GP, along with people who are waiting for Social Services to provide long-term equipment to enhance their living experience.Secondly, I am the caretaker for the centre that I work in, taking care of bookings at the hall. This enables me to live in a three-bed flat with my wife, provided rent-free as part of my renumeration. This week I have been on holiday, and a friend of mine, a volunteer with the organisation, has been taking care of the medical loan side of my employment.

Now the equipment loans fall into two catagories, three month and six month loans. All mobility equipment is loaned for a maximum three months, other equipment for bathing and toiletry requirements for a maximum six months. There are reasons for this. Firstly, our supplies of equipment are finite, so there may be a situation where some equipment may be at short supply, wheelchairs especially. Secondly, there are procedures for obtaining equipment on a long-term basis, either through the patient's GP for mobility equipment, or Social Services for most other. There are situations where the patient may need to purchase the equipment. Nobody is required to pay any money to loan from us, no deposit, equipment usually available on the day required.

Which is why some people piss me off.

My friend, a volunteer, was subjected to a tirade of abuse because I had written to his wife to request the return of the wheelchair that she had loaned, it being one month overdue. His wife still needed it, her appointment for a long-term wheelchair was not until November, and no, he did not give a damn that somebody else may have to endure a wait because he was not willing to return the wheelchair until she was provided with one on a long-term basis. Some people, not all fortunately, take us for granted and assume that they can keep the equipment as long as they need it.

I can deal with this kind of ignorence, and I have contacts with the various Doctor's Surgeries and occupational therapy/physiotherapy departments at the local hospitals, along with Social Workers, so I can resolve the problems caused by these recalcitrant twats but why should a man giving his free-time have to handle this?

Forgive my rant, but a selfish attitude will do no good in the long-term. He may need my help in the future.

ps. I spoke to this man and informed him that unless he provided a request from his wife's GP for a small loan extension by next friday, he would be facing a charge. He telephoned back to guarantee a doctor's letter by Tuesday.

:: Karma (+0/-0)