Do I just give up on my brother?

[Beinggrownupsucks]

Long story, but I'll try and keep it short. My brother was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia around 5 years ago however it had been going in for longer than that.
He used to speak to me however now he does not want to have anything to do with any of his family. Unsure why, possibly because of his delusions.
Around 5 years ago when he was originally Committed and diagnosed he was deemed to lack capacity to consent to treatment so it fell to his next of kin to consent. I consented, however a week later when I phoned to check on him I was informed that they could not discuss his case with me as he has not consented to share information. I argued that as the person who had consented to treatment how could I Continue to consent if I did not know what the treatment was? Although the staff on the floor appeared very caring, I was baffled by the lack of willing to try and involve us. At no point did they ask about his history or general family mental health history. Eventually I went down to see him (he was admitted in a hospital 3 hours away form ourselves). He refused to see me but I spoke to a nurse briefly and mentioned some of his history. This was the only conversation I had with the hospital about his background/previous mental health. He was detained for almost a year, then released. Since then he has been re-admitted at least 3 times on one occasion he gave a fake name. Two years ago the asked for permission to treat again. A few days later I was once again told they could not discuss his case as he did not want them to speak to me. I've just been made aware that he has been admitted again but not by the hospital, by someone involved in his appeal against the decision to admit. However despite being able to ask what I think to him being admitted they can't tell which hospital or why he's been admitted again..
What is the point in involving a family member to then tell them you can't discuss anything? I'd do anything to help him he's my not so little brother but im fed up of being slightly involved then shut out as he's an adult and does not consent for information to be shared. I understand confidentiality is important but surely if you've had to involve family in the first place it's because he is lacking capacity?

I hear you! I have been in a similar situation with a family member who clearly lacked capacity (full blown florid psychosis) yet was still required to provide 'consent' for me to be able to help with various things that were very clearly in their own best interests.

One thing that I did do during that time when I was frustrated that no one was asking me to fill in any of the family history, even though he clearly wasn't able to provide it to them himself, was write a letter to his responsible psychiatrist setting out everything I thought it would be helpful for them to know. As long as you can find out where he is, you can do this without them sharing any information.

You could also make it clear in that letter what level of involvement you are willing to/would like to have - it must be so difficult when their delusional illness turns them against you.

Good luck xx

Thanks for that cheerypip. At the moment I know what area he's in but not which hospital. I'm going to send a few emails on Monday and try and contact the local family liason service.
I do understand why we have the laws we do around capacity and I completely understand the need for confidentiality but how can someone suffering from full blown delusions and hallucinations, who is adamant they are fine and dont need medication be deemed as having capacity?
I hope your family member got the support they needed.