Discharge to an unsuitable nursing home

[MrsPJ]

My father is in hospital following a broken hip. He was in a nursing home when this fall happened but despite other visitors witnessing and reporting falls the home didn’t record any and deny he fell. My dad told the ambulance service he’d had a bad fall and had been picked up by one of the carers. He also described one of the carers as a bully. This is being investigated by the council safeguarding team who are treating it very seriously.
Dad is now due to be discharged. His mobility is much reduced and he’ll likely be mainly bed bound. It was agreed he shouldn’t go back to the nursing home where he had his fall. The discharge team are now offering his original nursing homes partner home which is managed and staffed by the same team. We have rejected this on the basis of safeguarding. They are saying it’s the only option available. As my Dad only part funds his place I believe it’s a financial issue rather than lack of availability at a more suitable home. My question if anyone can help is - can the discharge team send him to a home without our permission? We have POA.

Your poor dad! You must be so worried.
I have no clue but wanted to bump in case anyone could advise. Does he have a social worker you could speak to for advice / help finding another home?

so sorry you are going through this

That must be so worrying. I second the social worker. The one who dealt with my mum was really supportive and they were happy to keep her in rehab until a suitable home was found - we turned down the first one because I had not heard anything positive about it locally. The one she is in is a compromise - not on a bus route so I can't visit her on my own - but can't fault them in terms of care. Don't know if it makes a difference but mum is fully funded by the council.

Thank you for your replies. It’s a discharge social worker who is offering the unsuitable home. The discharge social worker we met originally was very understanding of Dad’s needs and situation but she is now on leave. I’m hoping she’ll be back on the case next week.

I found a home myself for my DM when she was i hospital after her being discharged to an unsuitable one for rehab last year. They were quite happy for me to find one as long as the home accepted NHS funding. Turn down the home they are offering, they cannot insist he goes there especially if you have POA. They will keep him in hospital until a suitable bed is found but make it clear they must not move him without your say so.

Thank you. We’ll take your advice and contact the home we think is most suitable directly and see if they will accept nhs funding. We’ll also reiterate that they must not move him without our say so.