We were contacted by Mrs P’s family after she had moved from home into a nursing home. On securing the available care records, we drafted detailed representations supporting the contention that the needs were primarily health needs. Thereafter, we instigated the NHS assessment process. A few days before the checklist, Mrs P fell and fractured her pubic rami, which meant she went from being able to mobilise independently to being nursed in bed or a chair. She was also in significant pain due to the fracture. With the assistance of our advocate, Mrs P passed the checklist and a full assessment was triggered.
Around three weeks later, a full assessment was completed. A multi-disciplinary team was present, with a nurse assessor and social worker. Mrs P had an over-arching diagnosis of dementia, but she also had significant psychological and emotional needs caused by paranoid hallucinations which meant she would not leave her room and would often not engage with care staff. In addition, she was still immobile and experiencing pain from her fracture pubic rami which meant she could no longer independently mobilise or reposition. Given her cognitive impairment and significant psychological and emotional needs, there was significant complexity in Mrs P’s care. With the assistance of our advocate, the most appropriate levels of need were secured during the assessment and the complexity and intensity of Mrs P’s care was highlighted, which led to funding being secured. Click here to read the client testimonial
