The Spoonie Mummy Reviews – Bullen Healthcare Delivery Company
So I wrote this post over a week ago and then didn’t save it properly – doh! So here we go again!
Today my recommendation is for my stoma supplies delivery company – Bullen Healthcare. I previously used another company which was the one I was ‘given’ by my stoma nurse when I left hospital. I had some problems with them not calling when they said they would do. I then had a huge issue with them not delivering an order three times which almost resulted in me running out of supplies. The contact from them during this time was also really poor which was disappointing to me. Had I been kept informed of what was happening and not left to chase them before being fobbed off every time I called, I would have been more accepting of the issue. It was at this time I started thinking about changing my company as had seen others on stoma support groups do the same so now knew this was possible.
I hadn’t got round to starting to look into the other companies that are around, when I got a call from Bullen. I had ordered a sample and they were calling to see how I had got on with it. The man I spoke to then mentioned they had their own delivery service and I asked for some more information due to the problems I had been having with mine. He explained they would arrange a monthly call for me to place my order and it would be delivered around a week later on a mutually convenient date. These were all promises that I had been offered with the previous company so you can imagine I wasn’t holding my breath at this point! He then went on to list all the complimentary products Bullen offer and I can’t say this wasn’t a lure – I love a freebie!
The change over was extremely easy and efficient and I didn’t have to worry about anything at all. My first delivery came and was actually delivered to my mum’s as I was spending some time there in the Summer holidays with the boys last year. This also wasn’t a problem for Bullen who added her address as a temporary one and meant I was not having to worry about running out of supplies while a two and a half hour drive from home!
I’m pleased to report they stick to calling on the pre arranged date each month to arrange my next delivery. This is good as I don’t have to worry about remembering myself. My memory isn’t the best with the brain fog and medications I am on so it’s something less for me to worry about. The delivery comes roughly a week later and is always well and discreetly packaged.
I have only had two issues since they took over my deliveries. One was a missing complimentary item (wet wipes) in my first delivery. They called me the day following my delivery, as promised, to check how it had gone and if I was happy. I let them know and they offered to send them straight out to me after apologising. As it wasn’t a specialist item like my bags or adhesive remover, I declined, as I can use dampened dry wipes or baby wipes instead, but I appreciated the offer.
The second issue was actually not with them as such, but Parcelforce, who deliver some of Bullen’s supplies depending on where you live. I had been admitted to hospital a few days before my delivery was due. I asked my mum to pop over to my house that evening to pick up some bits and also asked her to retrieve my parcel from the garden as my delivery instructions are to leave over the back gate if I am not in. She let me know she had been round after work but saw no sign of any parcel.
When she popped over to my house a couple of days later, one of my neighbours ran across the road, parcel in hand. It had been left on my front doorstep in the rain and he had even attempted to blow-dry the seriously soggy parcel bless him! Obviously the weather can’t be helped but in this day and age where we are advised to be super security conscious I wasn’t happy that my name and address details were left on display for anyone to see. Also, anyone could have taken the parcel, leaving me short of supplies and the NHS out of pocket as I am sure they wouldn’t have been able to use them and I would have needed a second prescription that month! When I spoke to Bullen about what happened they were grateful to me for passing on my concerns and logged the incident after confirming my delivery instructions are definitely to leave the parcel over the back gate! Any further issues I have been asked to report and they will escalate it with the delivery company.
I now get a phone call and delivery once a month. I was sent a new mirror, stoma supplies bag, emergency supplies bag and scissors with my first order. The bag is a great size and has a hook at the top, meaning it can be hung in my bathroom which makes getting my supplies out while changing my bag much easier. I receive wet wipes, dry wipes, bed pads, hand sanitizer and disposable bags as needed with my monthly order. Bullen’s dry wipes are so good too – super soft, large and absorbent!
The staff are always friendly and polite, checking how I am and will also recommend new products for me to try out occasionally. I don’t like feeling like I am being harassed by pushy sales people when stoma products are recommended to me and this has never been the case with Bullen. I currently have a good system that works for me but am willing to give new products a try, so will always accept the offer of a trial sample before opting to change my prescription.
If like I was, you are looking for a new delivery company, I would definitely recommend you give Bullen a try. They deliver stoma, urostomy and wound care products and are now also delivering prescription medication too I believe. I have now been with them for 9 months and couldn’t be happier with the service they have provided so far. A definite hit!
I have popped a link to their website below which has a contact phone number and an online form you can submit if you would like them to contact you.
The Spoonie Mummy 
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