Support bubble allowed?

[AnxiousKeziah]

Hi,
I have tried to read the gov website but am unsure if I am allowed a support bubble.
I am in tier 3. Since March I have had no support bubble, no childcare bubble. Am married, with children, work part-time. My husband is my career - registered as such with my mental health team and our Gp practice. I am under adult mental health team, have been for years, but have had no face to face appointments since March. Usually I have a weekly cpn session, see the psychiatrist and then see my own Dr monthly for support. None of this has happened - just phoncalls as no patients been seen.

I am at absolute breaking point, taking extra medication prn. Do not want to see people for Christmas. But would I be allowed to have my parents or in laws ( both a distance away) come and look after us or for us to go there? Trying to avoid emergency admittance to a mental health hospital. But no way of proving it to police of they stop my husband driving there. My parents are in a Tier 3 area. In laws in Wales - not sure do their rules. My nurse said I needed more support but they cannot see me unless I need admitting. Want my children to have someone to play with them, take them for walks as I am struggling. My husband is working from home and needs to work - used up all his annual leave Karen being at home etc.

Not sure what is allowed. Or so I have to wait to be in hospital for my husband to be able to form a bubble as he is then on his own with children?

You are allowed a support bubble is you are the only other adult in the household looking after another adult who needs constant care. Care for the vulnerable is also allowed. I would say you come under both of these. Pick the closest (as it’s supposed to be local if possible) and form a support bubble. You can only have one though.

The North Wales, Gwynedd, are nearest. But my husband does not want to break the rules. As I work part time, well signed off for a few weeks now, did not know if that counted. I had been coping well TIL I lost all support in March. We have not mixed with anyone inside - my parents are older and were on shielding list so not seen them at all. But Wales is going into a lockdown so did not know if could go there?

Thanks.

Would your cpn team write you a letter to show police or speak to your husband for you?

I’m not sure if you can go into Wales or not. If your mental health is that bad that the choice is go into hospital or see someone then you would definitely qualify for a support bubble though. That is quite different from feeling bad but coping.

I could get my husband to ring my cpn, yes. Doubt would get a letter as she like most MH team have worked from home since March, which is why I have not seen anyone.

I have followed the rules totally and do not want to break any. But 9 months of no mental health support as such is not helping.

It will have to be Wales as the other area is already Tier 4, is further and my parents more vulnerable and less helpful anyway. My cpn been ringing me more often but is on holiday obviously over Christmas-New Year and wanted me to have more support.

My husband is registered as my career with the Gp too but getting hold of them would be impossible.

Thanks Mousehole and Appleandpears

I hope you manage to get some support soon. If I were you I would go to Wales.

It wouldn't be a support bubble, as the person who needs care needs to require 'continuous care', which you don't, because you work, etc. However, you are definitely vulnerable, and there is no limit to how often someone can provide care for a vulnerable person. I think you could go there, too.

I hope you get the support you need and avoid admission.

I’m sorry to hear this, I too think you need support

If you are nearing hospital admission then that sounds like continuous care to me.

If you are worried about being stopped or questioned by police could you get an email from GP or psych to explain this support is necessary?
Hope you feel much better soon OP.

Thank you.
I find work is the last thing to go, sadly.

Have been trying really hard. But the usual things I do to help myself obviously have not been available and I have not met up with any family or friends to keep people safe.

I am hoping this passes and can get back to putting on my coping front.

OP

Yes you are allowed Im also the only adult carer of my DH so im allowed for the same reason. Ive bubbled with my parents who are a half hour walk away.

Ive printed off the guidance (all five pages) and have it in my handbag and my niece (who lives with my parents) has a digital copy saved to her phone (just in case)

Also might be worth reminding any officer (politely) that unpaid carers save £132 billion a year and take pressure off the NHS.

Honestly, this is not going to be an issue. If you are stopped, you just need to say that you are travelling under the 'care for the vulnerable' exception.

Merry Christmas 🌲

Thank you. On our way.

I hope you have a restful day with your family OP.

Mental health teams are seeing people face to face, and have been for some months now. It might not be your usual people - some of the team will be vulnerable themselves - but there should be someone else that can see you. They're in PPE so it is a bit weird, but still better than a phone call. Can your husband look into this after Christmas? We know they're massively overstretched, but you have a right to care in times of crisis.

(Different trusts have different guidance, but I know CPNs all over the country, they're all seeing patients.)

That might come across a bit entitled. What I mean is, you deserve better care. To use the cliché, you're worth it :-)