I have been having considerable trouble in getting my new award agreed, there appears to be to many administrators and managers passing bits of paper from one an other and desk to desk. In all the words they use they do not seem to know the two simplest words in the English language ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ in covering their backs.
I should add here that in 21 years, unfortunately, as a major stroke victim having to rely on the NHS I have nothing but praise for the medical treatment I have received over the years. I give them 10 out of 10 for all their help and consideration. As for administration both NHS and Council social workers, there are far to many and the result dismal, I give them 1 out of 10.
To Whom It May Concern
In 2007 it was suggested I took up the direct payment scheme for my personal care and quality of life. This I agreed and a method was worked out with the help of the Rowan Organisation.
I was awarded £1231.60 (varying by days in the month) This worked very well and efficient until my last admission to Hospital, despite a decrease, in real terms, of some 5/6% due to inflation and increase insurance costs. On discharge I needed help getting into and out of bed and applied for an extra 1 hour a day at the rate I paid my PA (£9.50) for this help.
Over the next 6 months or more my physical condition rapidly deteriorated with the ageing problems compounding on my stroke of 21 years, and many visits were made to my home by Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists and others. Many visits to Kingston Hospital and the Distinct Nursing team continued to call twice weekly.
All these visits reporting I needed more help than that provided and I had asked extra for. Both senior Therapists reporting, in a written report, that now my right and only good arm, was causing concern and not able to be used 90 degrees (the reason for my Hospital visits throughout the last 9 months). These reports were sent to my care manager.
My balance was very bad, and I was a danger to myself trying to cook, and could not reach to get items from the cupboards or fridge. My career now has to cook my main meal each day out of the three hours a day allowed for in the original agreement and award (in fact has been doing many hours’ unpaid help)
In July 2010 I was asked, and supplied a diary over a period of three weeks to show the care my career was giving on a daily basis. Since then I recently supplied a list of the extra help I need as was suggested at the many visits to me at my home by the various agencies.
My December remittance advice shows a sum of £1598.89 an increase of £363.49 (£88.12 a week) over my payments since I first opted for direct payments. This barely covers the extra I asked for in March, and the employer NI contributions increase of £2.10 per week, leaving £19.52 for all the extra help I now need and that recommended.
I want my award looked into again, together with all the reports made into my physical condition over the last year.
To Whom It May Concern continued additions January 2011
With time to reread the above and study with old papers it appears the confusion seems to have arisen by an administration error.
The award made in 2007 for home care and quality of life living was based on the formula of –
75 hours @ £0.00p and
45 hours @ £00.0p
Total payment of £0,000.00p per month to be spent at the reciprocants discretion.
This being worked out with the help of the Rowan Organisation and agreed by the Council @ 3 hours per day for personal care and help in the home, the balance to be spent in maintaining as near a life style as possible. I.e. Attending meetings, attending monthly committee meeting, Theatre visits and participating in the local community as fully as possible as in the past.
On my discharge from hospital and deteriating physical condition I asked, in March 2010, for an extra hour per day for help in getting into and out of bed @£9.50 at the rate I was paying for personal care. All agencies now agree I need more hours than I asked for nearly a year ago now.
It appears the award made December 2010 is based on the draught of ‘My Support Plan’ by Support Broker, Jo Munday, only on the figure I paid my Carer/PA of £9.50 and not on the original hourly rates. I understand m/s Munday had not seen the Occupational Therapist’s report before draughting the plan.
I hope this helps to clarify the matter, although I am very physically affected, mentally I am still 110% fit and quite happy for my carer to bring me to any meeting at any time to meet and discuss this further.
Kenneth Elmes January 2011
I should add here that in 21 years, unfortunately, as a major stroke victim having to rely on the NHS I have nothing but praise for the medical treatment I have received over the years. I give them 10 out of 10 for all their help and consideration. As for administration both NHS and Council social workers, there are far to many and the result dismal, I give them 1 out of 10.
To Whom It May Concern
In 2007 it was suggested I took up the direct payment scheme for my personal care and quality of life. This I agreed and a method was worked out with the help of the Rowan Organisation.
I was awarded £1231.60 (varying by days in the month) This worked very well and efficient until my last admission to Hospital, despite a decrease, in real terms, of some 5/6% due to inflation and increase insurance costs. On discharge I needed help getting into and out of bed and applied for an extra 1 hour a day at the rate I paid my PA (£9.50) for this help.
Over the next 6 months or more my physical condition rapidly deteriorated with the ageing problems compounding on my stroke of 21 years, and many visits were made to my home by Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists and others. Many visits to Kingston Hospital and the Distinct Nursing team continued to call twice weekly.
All these visits reporting I needed more help than that provided and I had asked extra for. Both senior Therapists reporting, in a written report, that now my right and only good arm, was causing concern and not able to be used 90 degrees (the reason for my Hospital visits throughout the last 9 months). These reports were sent to my care manager.
My balance was very bad, and I was a danger to myself trying to cook, and could not reach to get items from the cupboards or fridge. My career now has to cook my main meal each day out of the three hours a day allowed for in the original agreement and award (in fact has been doing many hours’ unpaid help)
In July 2010 I was asked, and supplied a diary over a period of three weeks to show the care my career was giving on a daily basis. Since then I recently supplied a list of the extra help I need as was suggested at the many visits to me at my home by the various agencies.
My December remittance advice shows a sum of £1598.89 an increase of £363.49 (£88.12 a week) over my payments since I first opted for direct payments. This barely covers the extra I asked for in March, and the employer NI contributions increase of £2.10 per week, leaving £19.52 for all the extra help I now need and that recommended.
I want my award looked into again, together with all the reports made into my physical condition over the last year.
To Whom It May Concern continued additions January 2011
With time to reread the above and study with old papers it appears the confusion seems to have arisen by an administration error.
The award made in 2007 for home care and quality of life living was based on the formula of –
75 hours @ £0.00p and
45 hours @ £00.0p
Total payment of £0,000.00p per month to be spent at the reciprocants discretion.
This being worked out with the help of the Rowan Organisation and agreed by the Council @ 3 hours per day for personal care and help in the home, the balance to be spent in maintaining as near a life style as possible. I.e. Attending meetings, attending monthly committee meeting, Theatre visits and participating in the local community as fully as possible as in the past.
On my discharge from hospital and deteriating physical condition I asked, in March 2010, for an extra hour per day for help in getting into and out of bed @£9.50 at the rate I was paying for personal care. All agencies now agree I need more hours than I asked for nearly a year ago now.
It appears the award made December 2010 is based on the draught of ‘My Support Plan’ by Support Broker, Jo Munday, only on the figure I paid my Carer/PA of £9.50 and not on the original hourly rates. I understand m/s Munday had not seen the Occupational Therapist’s report before draughting the plan.
I hope this helps to clarify the matter, although I am very physically affected, mentally I am still 110% fit and quite happy for my carer to bring me to any meeting at any time to meet and discuss this further.
Kenneth Elmes January 2011
