Care Home Short Staffed

SophiaBrother

Hi, my name is Sophia. I am hoping that somebody could possibly give me some advice please?

My brother has been in a care home for about 20 years. I have noticed that whenever I request things for my brother such as CEA cinema card or to chase up about things like he had bad teeth so now all his teeth is out because he had half his dental appointment done but not the rest so he has no teeth for months which they state appointments take time. He fell down recently so they are waiting for a hospital check which takes months so he is not allowed to visit me until they know why he fell down. So I asked them to bring my brother to me for a few hours which they stated they are short staffed so have no one to bring him to me. I can visit him but his home is about 3 and a half hours away on train, tube & 2 buses which can take just about an hour in a car (I don’t drive) Plus my brother is deaf, can’t speak and has severe learning difficulties so best he comes to me and I generally have him for about a week so they justify paying for his cab. But now since his fall it could take months as hospital appointments takes time. Everything they always say they are shorted staff. I totally understand that but to me, that means my brother is neglected with his health or me doing things that he loves like the cinema, visiting me and his family members because they are always shorted staff.

I spoke to someone in scope and they suggested a few legal things I could do such as power of attorney or court of protection. I would like to know has anyone else experienced anything like this and has successful won their case? All I want is some kind of rights to call the dentist, fill in forms, chase up appointments ect as I have the time to do so which clearly my brothers care home does not.

Sophia

janer1967

Hi and welcome to the community 

I'm sorry to hear about your current situation with your brother 

It is nationwide the shortage if care staff unfortunately 

As for dentist is he with a dentist currently as it is near impossible to get on any nhs dentist books 

I doubt any care home would want to or be able to travel that distance for him to visit you . Is it in his care plan at all.

I don't know where you would stand legally either 

SophiaBrother

Hi, thank you so much for your feedback. I did not realise there are so many vacancies and not surprisingly when they get paid so little. Well if this is the case I will definitely be going done the legal route.
Thanks Sophia

poppy123456

I'm very surprised that any dentist would remove any front teeth before fitting any dentures. I've recently had partial dentures on top and bottom but my dentist didn't remove the teeth until the dentures were made and ready to be fitted, so had all of that done in one appointment.

Hannah_Alumni

I'm so sorry you are having such a time with the care being provided for your brother @SophiaBrother

It sounds like the legal options advised to you are the best option to have that say over his appointments...etc. Have you thought about having a meeting with the care facility and telling them you obviously understand they are short staffed, but you would rather something in writing with them to have those controls, then going down the legal route? 

SophiaBrother

Hi, thank you for your replies. I never thought about the obvious about having dentures ready before taking out his teeth but yes he has no teeth in at present. I will ask the home first about if they will write down something so I can have control but it means having access to his funds as well so not sure if they will go for it. But will definitely ask before taking the legal route.

Sandy_123

Hi @SophiaBrother welcome if you are England you may find the link below useful