DM, 77 had a medical episode September 21. Discharged from hospital in December 21 to a care home with expectation she would die anywhere between 3 weeks to 3 months. She's still with us. DF is main carer, who is now 80.
When it was clear she wasn't about to die, I spoke with Adult Social Services and asked that we try and bring her home. They agreed (obviously cheaper than the care home) so since February 2022 she's received a care package from an 'off-framework' provider of 4 x visits a day. We were never told that this arrangement would be temporary at the time of arranging the care package.
She is doubly incontinent and is wheelchair/bed bound. She has her 'nappy' changed 4 x day and she is strip washed 1 x day, hair washed 1 x week. Humiliating for a fiercely independent women, but there we are. She sees the same 6-8 carers on a rota basis so has made friends with all of them, exchanging birthday gifts etc and they are always invited to any family parties we have. We have built fabulous rapport with each and every one of them.
In September 22, the council contacted me to say they were moving Mum's care package to an 'on-framework' provider. No prior notice and no risk assessment done. I spoke to the manager of the care agency that looked after Mum and was told that this was a regular thing that Councils do - where they've placed someone with an off-framework provider, they will review every 6 months to move the package to an on-framework provider. So I complained to the council about the affect this would have on my Mum's mental health (and also my Dad's as he is her carer), that it had come out of the blue and that no risk assessment had been conducted on DM. They apologised and said DM's care would remain with the off-framework provider - not giving a date of review or anything.
They tried to move her package again last year, I kicked off and they went away.
They've phoned me again recently to say basically 'right, that's it. Her package HAS to be moved to an on-framework provider and tough shit'. (Council is massively in debt to the tune of tens of millions of £ so clearly looking to cut costs)
I've responded by complaining for a 3rd time and they are resisting very strongly and tried to say it's nothing to do with costs (bollocks is it) and that they have no control over the off-framework providers (bollocks again as the off- framework provider giving my DM her care package have had a review within the last 12 months from the Council and signed off as satisfactory)
I'm complaining on the basis that she is a frail old lady, already on anti-depressants (because of the situation she finds herself in) and the change in care agency will frighten her to death (seeing new faces), being washed by 'new strangers' (as opposed to 'old' strangers of 2 years) and I've heard awful things that people never see the same carer from week to week.
I have copied in our local MP - not sure what use he will be?
Is there ANYTHING I haven't thought of? I'm phoning her GP to ask them to do an assessment on her health, both physical/mental to try and prove that a move to a different care agency will have a massive affect on her mental health (and also my DFs). I'm so angry, raging at the injustice and so sad for my parents that it's come to this. In her final years of life, the degradation of her situation and the council's view that they can change who comes to see her just to save a few quid.
I'm asking the council exactly what the cost difference is between her off-framework provider compared to an on-framework provider as I'd like to know what price they put on my DM's mental health. Funnily enough, they aren't forthcoming with this information. Does anyone work in this area and could give me a ball park figure as to the cost differences between off and on-framework providers?
They've replied to my complaint but haven't answered all points so I'm going back to them again today and hoping that because I've said the complaint hasn't been dealt with satisfactorily, they can't move DM's care package yet; until the complaint is resolved.
I'm just at a loss as to what to do now other than to keep fighting the council and to go the LGO (local government ombudsman). I'm so worried about how this will affect my parents ongoing mental wellbeing (and mine!). (and yes, I know I should be grateful that she is receiving adequate care paid, in part, by the council and I am; extremely grateful as I am unable to do it as is my DF)
Thank you for reading.