Care Needs Assessment waiting time

[ImaFreedomSeeker]

Hi, DP is on waiting list for care needs assessment. It’s been a month and still waiting - they say they can’t tell me how long just keep saying soon. How long is the wait in your area?

So far 8 weeks and counting. I'm to call back to chase if I haven't heard anything by 13th September.
Outer London Borough on the East Side if that helps at all

@ImaFreedomSeeker Does your GP surgery have 'social precribers'? Just a thought - my GP has recently established a team of social prescribers and I've had my first contact with them. One of them is now chasing up lots of the things that I was getting a bit bogged down by, such as what happened to various referrals, and why there's been such a wait for a certain services.

The very efficient (although kind) woman I spoke to says that with my consent to share information, she can get involved with council / social care services as well as hospital clinics and other things.

I mean we'll have to see if she can get results, but if she can take some of the weight off me when I'm least able to manage it, I'm happy to give it a go.

Apologies if this is not remotely helpful. Wishing you all the very best

Thanks though that’s depressing to hear. I was hoping it wouldn’t take more than a month. Sounds like the state of mental health services - you have to be in an emergency crisis to get near the top of the queue.

In our area, the most recent estimate I've heard is 10-12 weeks

A lot also depends on the reasons and the living arrangements. Urgent cases are sorted quicker

My DP can’t manage her incontinence issues when the carers aren’t there - she has memory loss and is pretty frail. Wardens won’t help. Housing have told me she can’t continue to live there, saying she’s a risk to herself and others. They haven’t given her official notice yet though.

@SpinCityBlues didn’t see your message earlier, sorry. I haven’t heard of social prescribers at the Surgery. Disappointed with the individual GP (didn’t complete referral to memory clinic and wouldn’t confirm if done for months plus said any problems I should contact social services) but admin deal with my email requests promptly.

It’s more care she needs as she can’t cope and I can’t be there any more than I already am. I’ve organised care to as much as she can afford but it’s not enough. Just feel I’m letting her down as she’s left to struggle.

Thanks for the replies. Gives me a rough idea.

It took over 6 months for us. I also asked for a Carers Assessment for myself. I was told that mum would not come home from hospital until both assessments had been carried out.

Six months after she came out of hospital the social worker visited and it was another 4 months before we got any help. We were told (even thought I made it clear that I wanted to be able to speak freely to the SW and not in front of my mother) that the assessment that my mum had was a joint assessment. I wasn't offered any support at all!

Just had parents assessed after waiting 7 months- told at top of the list for help but will take 16 weeks to get any help in place. We’re going to pay privately for help, we can’t wait. At this rate they’ll b dead first. We’re in Scotland where all care is free 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

And meanwhile many of these people are remaining in hospital which is not the most appropriate place with no home comforts they would get at home or in a care home (and dare I mention using a bed which could be used for someone with medical needs).
Even once the needs assessment is done (always four visits a day with a double team) there is no knowing when these can be put in place as there aren't carers hanging around waiting for clients. First morning visit for new clients are after 10am and final evening visit before 7pm so a possible 15 hours in bed.
Have heard of people who would appear to be in need of going in to a care home having to have a trial at home as not enough places in the homes.
The whole system is not good and the government doesn't have a plan. Sorry to sound quite so gloomy (on the positive side all the carers I have come across have been such lovely people)

Hi - sorry to hijack thread but wondered if anone could help
My 88 DF has been hospital for 7 weeks after having a fall & low blood pressure. Unfortunately he is no better & effectively bed bound unless 2 people can help get him into chair. Currently has cathater etc. The hospital want to send him home - I assume to free up bed - and claim he will have some care but I am unclear how this works. My 86 DM uses a stick & can look after herself but no way can look after him, unfortunately my DS & I both live couple hourse away. DM is really worried they r going to send him home with no help.

Does he need a Care Needs Assesment - does the hospital arrange or do we need to request. Does level of care depend on needs? Also how quickly does everything happen as we will have to sort room downstairs for bed etc? They are South West if relevant.
Finally I assume they will have to pay as they have a house & some savings.
Apologies so long! Really appreciate any thoughts, many thanks!

Having a house makes no difference to having to pay for care at home and even if he had to go into a care home this would not be taken into account as his wife still needs it.
Insist on a needs assessment before he leaves the hospital as the is no one who could care for him