Community care near to a crisis

There are reports of demand outstripping supply, staff overwhelmed, and some vulnerable elderly people being denied the ability to live at home with a basic level of dignity.

The independent charity, Carers Guernsey, is concerned about the growing pressures being placed upon informal, unpaid carers. after years of States’ promises have led to inaction

The situation was highlighted after Paul Watts wrote to all deputies outlining how his father had been stuck in the Carey Ward for more than two months while the family wait for care in the community to be available.

‘Dad was assessed 11 weeks ago as being well enough to go home with a care in the community package, but he’s still in the Carey Ward and he’s getting very frustrated about it,’ said Mr Watts.

‘He keeps blaming himself and he always asks what else he has to do to get out of hospital. It’s distressing for Mum because she wants him home as well, and it’s putting a lot of pressure on the family.’

Mr Watts stressed that the nursing staff within the hospital had been understanding and supportive, but that the system was the problem.

Carey Ward was never meant for long-term living. Mr Watts said there are no lounges, the televisions are small, and there is a constant background noise of equipment and alarms.

Every day the family take their Mum to the hospital so she can see her husband, and they bring him home at weekends.

The couple, who have just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, do not want to be apart.

They have considered moving into a residential home but there are no double rooms available, and they would prefer to stay in their own home.

If Mr Watts’ father goes into a residential home he would eligible for £27,092 a year from the States, so Mr Watts has questioned why some of that money could not be made available to the family to buy in private care providers, to meet the gap in States provision.

He believes that under the current financial circumstances, the States should look at spending money more wisely.

‘They’re prepared to spend £27,000 for someone to be in 24/7 care, whereas hiring carers to provide a couple of hours a day for a number of people for less cost would be a better way of spending the money.’

Peter Harwood, chairman of Carers Guernsey, said that Mr Watts’ experience was a familiar one and it underlined the need for a better service.

‘As we know back in May public concern was expressed over the level of bed occupancy at the PEH, and the number of patients who could not be released to the community due to the lack of adequate care support.

‘At that time Carers Guernsey drew attention to the pressures that were being placed upon carers, not least our concerns over the impact on the health and mental wellbeing of those carers, many of whom are not in the first flush of youth.

‘Unfortunately the experience of Mr Watts and his family, and other families in similar circumstances, shows clearly that our early concerns are still very much alive and unresolved.’

Guernsey Press has contacted Health and Social Care for comment. It is expected to respond today.

‘Cinderella service’ Page 3