Read this letter to find out how the government is failing a debilitated, vulnerable patient.

This letter is to the Crisis Resolution Home Team. Their main aim is to keep people out of hospital, who have just spent time in there. It makes money-making sense for the local government but lets down certain groups of people. They can only put you in touch with other bodies (e.g. counselling for for patient's children, contacting the school of a dependent, give a contact number for a charity that does such things as looking at social benefits for the person (welfare rights)).

This is my mum's circumstances...

I am writing to request a referral of (name of mother) to Social Services for Social Care.

Currently, my mother is undertaking the odd chores she can push herself to manage. I am having to do the lion’s share of caring for (her son; my brother) and the domestic responsibilities, but I am leaving on 20th November, in a couple of days. I am very concerned that nothing is there to help her with either of these responsibilities.

I am leaving earlier than the intended beginning of December; firstly, because it is doing me no good to stay due to arguments, secondly, I cannot be here forever as I have my own life to lead. I see on a daily basis that what she does manage to do causes her great anxiety. For example, today, she came out with me to pick up her son and was shaking with anxiety during and after the outing. She manages very little in the day and can only give attention sporadically to her son. He is ignored at times. I fear that without me helping or any help at all her state will not improve, (her son's) care will be compromised, the domestic chores will cease to be done and it will lead to either her hospitalisation or her giving up being alive. She needs some help until she is capable of carrying out day-to-day tasks.

My role has included taking (her son; my brother) to school and back, answering most phone calls, most of the cooking, tidying, washing up mostly, putting the rubbish out, ensuring James attends his social commitments 4 times a week, opening all post, and actioning the post including (mother's) finances.

(Mother) manages to do the washing, the cooking sometimes, and washing up sometimes.

I understand that Social Services carry out an assessment and provide social care services under certain criteria.

I read the Fair Access to Care Services Eligibility Criteria Policy and Guidance. (mother) specifically meets the following Substantial Band criteria on page 12, as it states ‘ (Substantial Band) Relates to situations where without intervention there will be serious harm or injury to the Service user and without action will lead to risks becoming critical.’

‘There is, or will be, an inability to carry out the majority of personal care tasks, household tasks and domestic routines which are likely to restrict independence.’

‘There is a clear indication that exploitation, abuse or neglect has occurred, or is likely to occur;’

‘The majority of family and other social roles and responsibilities cannot or will not be undertaken.’

Having asked on several occasions about some help at home, it worries me that even though (mother) is eligible, her needs are being ignored.

Please let me know as soon as possible, whether you will be referring her.

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Further to yesterday’s letter, I need to add that, from my experience, when (mother) was under the supervision of the CMHT, I was bullied daily by my mother intensively for over 8 months at the age of 16 to 17. I underwent harrowing verbal abuse to the point where I felt worthless, I hit myself repeatedly, had panic attacks at the dread of returning home from a day at Sixth Form College, felt an enormous amount of self-blame and didn’t know any differently. I am in fear that this situation will re-occur for her dependent 9 year old child; a more vulnerable and formative age. If there is no relief for (mother), no change in her circumstances as they were before she went to the Lakes Mental Health Unit, no spare time for her to do something for herself, where’s the outlet for her frustration this time after I’m gone on Sunday and she has no help? I had (her child), a healthy, intelligent child, last night crying, saying, “no-one’s doing anything to help her except you”, “nothing’s changed”, “why is it always me who has to be understanding”. Looking at the previously mentioned criteria within the ‘Substantial Band’, most of them apply. Surely, he does not have to be affected by her before any help is given to free her time to do something for herself and her own condition.

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I called the CRHT today; told them I wanted her consultant's address and told them what I was writing.

The response is that they will be around for up to an hour on the first day I am gone. They can change intensity..... be there while mum does a chore on the first day.... and after that....???? Another fob off, no real practical help even temporarily til she is more capable?

GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH