5 Jul 2016

Family to be reimbursed for disabled son's care

5:42 pm on 5 July 2016

A Taihape couple who had to spend thousands on special equipment for their five-year-old disabled son have been told they will be reimbursed by their district health board.

A rural family unhappy with the post-op care of their five-year-old child are still waiting to hear from the Whanganui District Health Board.

Anders Mikkelsen Photo: SUPPLIED / Phil and Deb Mikkelsen

Anders Mikkelsen, who has Down syndrome, has been in a chest-to-ankle cast after a hip operation, and was discharged from Auckland's Starship Hospital into the care of Whanganui DHB a month ago.

His family have been frustrated they could not get the right equipment for him, and that an occupational therapist had not visited them at their rural home until last week.

But his mother, Deborah Mikkelsen, said they had now been assessed by the DHB's senior staff - on Friday.

"They are happy to reimburse the cost of the hip spica chair for Anders.

"Also, they've said that they'll make sure the next stage of Anders' treatment goes more smoothly if they can, which is great."

  • Reassessment by DHB of boy's care due Monday
  • Family still waiting to hear from DHB
  • Disabled boy's post-op care 'diabolical'