"District Nurses in Southwark"

I moved to Southwark almost two years ago and I have been waiting all of that time for the District Nurses in Southwark to measure me for compression garments. I need a particular brand garment as this suits my condition better. When the District Nurses first turned up they measured me for a different brand of compression hose and I told them that the company supplying my hosiery would probably want much more detailed measurements. However the nurse went back to the office and spoke to a more senior nurse and the hosiery was not ordered. 

   I then received a visit from senior nurse and explained why I needed this particular brand and that my GP agreed with me. I then received a visit from another nurse and the only thing brought to measure me with was a six inch paper ruler. My measurements were not completed (again based on the wrong brand) because this nurse was reluctant to measure my thighs. They said they would go back and talk to a more senior nurse. 

   A couple of months later I received another visit from another nurse who measured me (again for the wrong brand). They sent the prescription to the pharmacy who sent it along to the manufacturer of the brand I need. I then received a call from the pharmacy informing me that the manufacturer rejected the order as the measurements weren't taken properly. I then spoke to a senior nurse and described what had happened and I was met with what I can only describe as sarcasm. 

There followed another visit from another district nurse who was again going to measure me for the wrong hosiery who I told that I thought there was no point in doing that as the order would be rejected. 

   I waited a few weeks and then I wrote to the District Nurses and copied the letter to my GP and I heard nothing back so I decided to call. I was told that I had discharged myself but that simply was not true I just didn't want to repeat the mistakes. The nurse I spoke to said that I needed another referral so I contacted my GP surgery and they obliged. 

   I then received a call late on a Friday afternoon at the end of August and was told that a nurse would come to see me on the following Monday. When it came to the following Monday I received a call saying that they were shortstaffed and could not come to see me but that they would be in touch but I have heard nothing since. In the meantime I have downloaded the measuring guide from the manufacturer and have made sure that I have a measuring tape to hand. I plan to download the order form too.

   I would like to add that I have suffered a Deep Vein Thrombosis while waiting for this matter to be resolved. This is something which the compression hosiery should help to prevent. I have also experienced spontaneous breaks in my skin which would have been avoided if I had new hose. I should point out that I am immune compromised and can easily succumb to infection.