Advice needed

Catkins407

It's a bit of a weird situation but I am really annoyed over it. Basically a commercial business in an area relevant to one of my sons disabilities rang the person dealing with the my son who us very much a minor and got information about my son from this person in the HSE. This commercial business did not have my permission to ask or get any information about my son. In fact I did not know they were doing this . I also did not give permission to the HSE to release any information about my son.

It resulted in a very difficult situation with the HSE as they tried to refuse my son. Vital piece of medical equipment as they said he was getting it privately. I was basically ambushed in the appointment and am really annoyed. Especially as I had no contact with the company in question. I put my foot down and my son was given the equipment but I am still annoyed by this whole situation and has ruined a relationship with this HSE professional that I had spent 11 years building. Any advice?

Joey the lips

Is your problem that the information was shared or that the HSE have questioned you

The reason I ask is its not unusual for equipment suppliers and ots therapists to talk about your needs.

You have a case I imagine if it was done without you knowing but your case will be with the equipment supplier

Howe ever by the sounds of it you were checking out options for you to buy with the equipment

But why I would have a problem here is I am either entitled or not entitled to something and if I need to get it privately while I wait for it to become available public ally why is the HSE interfering

But I can't comment without knowing what we are talking about

Catkins407

My problem is the sharing of information. I was not checking out buying equipment with this company. I was told the HSE could not do a repair on my sons equipment when it went faulty. The wait for a new piece could be lengthy I was told. So I rang this company once to enquire about a repair. The information I got over the phone lead me to believe I could never afford the repair so would have to wait for the new piece through HSE. I have no income beyond carers.

There was only this one phonecall weeks before. I had made it clear I would not be dropping the equipment to them and thanked them and hung up. This company then took it upon themselves to ring the HSE and get information about my son and they were given it including the date of my next appointment.

I am just livid over the whole thing. The cheek if the company, the attitude if the HSE professional. It was like an ambush. It was like I had been keeping something from them. The truth is my son was entitled to this equipment from the HSE regardless of any private purchases. But there was no private purchases anyway. I really don't want information given out about my son to anyone without my permission. That excludes doctors consulting. Even then tho I would need to be kept informed. Especially not to private companies on fishing expeditions. I think even if I had the money to buy this equipment privately or do a private repair it would be none of the HSE business anyway. That wasn't the case but the whole attitude of the HSE professional in this instance was frankly insulting like I was a con artist. Thanks for the reply and trying to help. I know I have to careful about complaints because my son needs to deal with these people for the rest of his life. I would love an apology but will have to think about this. Thanks for letting me let of steam and tell someone about this. I have no one else to tell .

Catkins407

Sorry had to remove this post as I put it in wrong thread .

Catkins407

Spoke to HSE anonymously and informally and they have said it was a breach of data protection and have urged me to make a complaint. At least I know I have a case now. I need to go think about this.

Frito

May be speak to citizen's advice or carers' association and enquire about options re breach of confidentiality and advocacy should you make a complaint. It's tough dealing with services on behalf of your loved one, particularly if like me you get easily frustrated, as well as carrying on the usual caring role.