Case study of an Inclusion Matters client:

In July I drove to out of county and fetched my 90 years old mum and dad to Cornwall to spend some time with myself and my husband who have lived and worked here for the past 10 years.  Previous to the visit Dad had visited A&E in where he lived … after 11 hours wait he was sent home with no treatment. Dad has a number of health issues.

Unfortunately, Dad became ill whilst staying with me in Cornwall and following a call to 111 was advised to take him to A&E.  The staff there were hugely helpful and after a short wait he was seen. However, a couple of days later we had to call the paramedics and after attending twice in a day on the second occasion, they took him back to hospital where he was treated again in A&E and admitted to a ward where he remained for a few days.  

Dad was discharged to our house after a couple of days but with no follow-on care needs put in place and it became apparent that we were not able to manage his care needs due to his mobility and health issues etc.  I contacted my GP who informed me that I couldn’t register him as a temporary patient to access community support and could only register him as a permanent patient to access this.  

I therefore had to find a local private carer to help dad in the shower and with personal care who was amazing.  I contacted Adult Social Care in Cornwall who said they couldn’t help as he was not a Cornwall resident and likewise when I contacted ASC in where he resides they could not help as he was in Cornwall! I could not even find a local service to access to borrow disability aids for Dad so purchased them for him myself.

In the meantime, I came across CRCC whilst googling for support in Cornwall and noticed they had a Hospital Discharge Service so called and left a message. The worker called me back and it was like a great weight had lifted!  

Over the next few days, the worker contacted ASC where my parents live and we did a referral for when they got home. The worker guided and assisted me in navigating the minefield of benefit support that I could access to support both my parents which I could never have imagined where to start. 

The sad thing about the whole scenario was that despite Dad being very unwell I had no choice but to drive 5 hours back to where they live to be able to access any care and ASC support. I cannot thank the Hospital Discharge Inclusion Worker and CRCC enough for their compassion, support and kindness shown to me and my family during what was a distressing and worrying time for us all.  

Thank you for applying for the grant on my behalf - all received which was very welcome as was all the help navigating the minefield that is care and the NHS/ Social services.'