The plot is revealed in all its subversive truth

I have conversations with Jerry Wilson, the senior social worker at the hospital and Dr Reynolds. Both are singing from the same hymn sheet. Mum has been assessed by a multidisciplinary team, she can be discharged but not back to Bowles Lodge as she now has nursing needs.

Their view is summarised in the updated Individual Needs Portrayal:

Mrs Waylor is living in a home which is due to close. Consequently there are only 4 residents currently and the ration is 2 staff to 4 residents which is higher than it would be if the home was operating at the usual capacity of residents.

The home have stated that if they were operating with a larger number of residents they would not be able to meet Mrs Waylor's needs based on a high need for one to one time, due to her double incontinence, double handed moving and handling, high level of reassurance needed, support due to being hard of hearing and registered blind.

The additional information from the Tunbridge Wells Hospital and the deterioration in Mrs Waylors general condition now show that her needs require the provision of nursing home care.

This sly move effectively placed mum in limbo where, as it turned out she would be for six more weeks!

Dr Reynolds voice was shaky and he sounded much less confident.

As always I let Yvonne Hossack know exactly what was going on.

Kent County Council's defence to our claim (see 29/9/11 post)

KCC Vera Waylor Defence

The plot deepens

I speak with mum's consultant, Dr Reynolds. He says "... she does not have any breathing difficulties... her heart beat was a little slow so I have adjusted her medication...". I asked if she could be discharged. He could not see why not but social services have asked to complete their assessment before this happens (an Individual Needs Portrayal that was started at that farcical meeting on 6th October - see that post for more info).

He sounds defensive as he is aware of mum's litigation against Kent County Council and does not want to be drawn into it. That sounds fair enough as he is simply required to give his medical view in mum's best interests.

The plot thickens

I visit mum who has now been admitted to room 20 in Ward 22. The nurses are a little puzzled why she is there - as they were when she was taken from A&E the night before following X-rays - to the Acute Assessment Unit. The receiving nurse there asked "What are we assessing?".

Good question that needs to be answered.

Mum admitted to hospital

I get a call to say mum has been taken to the brand new hospital at Pembury with breathing difficulties. I dash from London, worried sick arriving at A&E to find mum calm, breathing normally but desperate for a coffee and a couple of biscuits. This does not feel right.

The doctor carefully examines mum and says "I find no shortness of breath... I don't know why she has been brought here".

HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY MUM!

Stop messing about with the camera - I want some cake!

Kent & Sussex Courier, 7th October

Vera, 89, takes fight over care to High Court

AN 89-YEAR-OLD woman has warned Kent County Council that moving her out of her care home could kill her. Hawkhurst care home Bowles Lodge is due to be closed next month, but Vera Waylor does not want to move.

Her response has been to lodge a claim in the High Court against the council, which could set a precedent for local authorities everywhere.

The writ states that Mrs Waylor is registered blind, is deaf in both ears and suffers from depression, osteoporosis and heart problems.

In July she had a stroke and is recovering from pneumonia and ventricular tachycardia.

The writ claims that the risks posed to her health by the proposed involuntary move to another home are clinically unjustifiable and would probably lead to her death within a year.

A report by a top psychiatrist suggests that if she stayed at Bowles Lodge she could live considerably longer.

Barristers are claiming the council acted in a negligent manner by not assessing the risks to Mrs Waylor's life before moving her to another home.

They said the case could set a legal precedent that will force local authorities to think again about assessing the medical risks of premature death to people before deciding whether to close a home or not.

Mrs Waylor's solicitor Yvonne Hossack is currently seeking a moratorium and public inquiry into care home closures. She has successfully prevented the closure of a number of homes across the country. She said: "For too long those charged with protecting elderly people like Vera have argued that it does no harm to move them. We believe this has resulted in many premature deaths. It is my prayer that Vera's brave claim will not only protect her life but those of all the other Vera's who face being evicted from their homes."

John Porter, Mrs Waylor's son, said: "Kent County Council say they treat elderly people with respect and dignity. "Taking my frail mother's home away from her, against her will, is the absolute opposite. Mum is determined that this case is seen right to the highest court in the land, and beyond if necessary."

A council spokesman said: "We understand that legal proceedings have been issued. Given these circumstances, it would be inappropriate for the council to comment."

The date for the hearing at the High Court has yet to be fixed."

Reassessment meeting farce 6th October

On Thursday I attended a meeting to reassess mum's care needs at Bowles Lodge. This was instigated by Beverley, the manager of Bowles Lodge. She had highlighted several areas of increased need which she felt could be best met in a nursing home and not at Bowles Lodge.

Mum's health and welfare are my and mum's legal team's prime concern yet we feel that any move to a nursing home presents a significant risk to her life due to a stroke or heart attack because of her heart failure, stroke and recent bout of pneumonia and ventricular tachycardia.

I took a day off work and expected the appropriate professionals with the required experience and expertise to be present. They were not present. Margaret, mum's excellent care manager, was there who completed an assessment only 8 weeks ago which concluded that mum required residential care, which Bowles Lodge provides, and not nursing care. She did not lead this assessment - instead her line manager Jackie did. This undermined Margaret.

Jackie took three hours and 20 minutes drilling into detail on the same topics that Margaret had covered only 8 weeks earlier. I had to ask for a break for comfort and to make everyone a drink. At the start I suggested that we just focus on the areas of perceived change since the last assessment but was ignored. I suggested that we discuss the topics that require the district nurse's input first (she had to leave to go to a clinic to treat a person with cancer at 2.30pm). I was ignored again and the nurse was one hour late. I felt for that person waiting needlessly for one hour.

Lisa, the district nurse present was clear, concise and professional. She made helpful contributions about mum's skin integrity and that her healing capacity is good. These are very positive indicators that rule out the need for nursing home care.

Apart from the nurse there was no-one who could provide an expert view concerning the other areas highlighted by Beverley. This is unprofessional and a waste of time. At least three experts' opinions now need to be sought so no recommendation could be made.

They were quick to say this assessment had nothing to do with the home closure or mum's High Court case. This is hard to believe and I think Kent County Council are pulling the strings from above to get mum re-categorised and moved out of the nursing home - particularly as I have been informed by Margaret Terry that they wish to start decommissioning the home from mid-November!

Graham Gibbens, the Conservative councillor, who made the decision to close Bowles Lodge and Margaret Howard, a senior officer constantly used these words during the consultation process: RESPECT and DIGNITY. This reassessment meeting demonstrated disrespect to mum, to me, to Margaret, mum's care manager and to Lisa, the district nurse.

If you need further evidence Jackie thought it would be a good idea to see mum and have a chat. We left the room where we had been talking and approached mum. The TV was on loud and mum is very deaf and can only see outline shapes. Did Jackie suggest lowering the volume or asking to meet mum in a quieter place? No! Now this is a senior social worker who had just rewritten Margaret's assessment from 8 weeks ago. I think this is awful.

I have absolute confidence in Beverley and her expert team to care for mum. I trust Margaret's views and support as mum's care manager. However, nearly all about all my dealings with senior officers in Social Services at Kent County Council are in direct contrast. It is these people who have power and have been working so hard to close homes of frail elderly people across Kent and put their lives at risk as a consequence.

Every experience like this strengthens mum's case and fires me with determination to ensure they do nothing that will harm her. During the consultation process 6 permanent residents died. Sadly I have heard through a relative's network that a further 4 people have died since being moved to other homes from Bowles Lodge. At least one that was split up from a close friend is unhappy. Mum is very frail but her needs are being met we have no contrary views from appropriate experts. One expert view we do have is the report for the High Court we commissioned that says if mum is moved it will shorten her life.

Vera and sons

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOWLES LODGE

Bowles Lofdge celebrated its 30th birthday today with a special party attended by residents, family members, staff and friends.

Bowles Lodge has been providing wonderful care to elderly people for 30 years. It makes me sick to my stomach to know they plan to knock it down and force the remaining few residents out like my mum.

Kent County Council decided not to advertise the party yesterday - go figure!

Yvonne files mum's case to High Court

Vera Waylor Media Briefing 28 Sep 11

John talks with Julia on BBC Radio kent

Mum in hospital

On 5th September mum was admitted to Kent and Sussex Hospital with pneumonia. When I arrived the doctors discovered she had Ventricular Tachycardia and a heart beat of 154. This was clearly their priority and if left mum would die. They administered a powerful drug through a special line (during the procedure mum stopped proceedings as she was peckish and asked for a biscuit which was provided!). This did not really work so they gave her a small anaesthetic and gave shocked her heart (not resuscitated) back to a normal rhythm.

She recovered well from both this and the pneumonia and was back at Bowles Lodge a week later.

KCC try to manipulate me!

At mum's recent Individual Needs Portrayal Assessment on 5th August I was informed verbally by mum's social worker and the care home manager that mum would need to be out of Bowles Lodge by mid-November to allow KCC to decommission it. It was clear they had been asked by a senior manager to relay this to me verbally. I understood exactly what was said but asked that the senior manager put this in writing so I could pass it on to mum's legal team.

Today, just over two weeks later, I receive the email below from Margaret Howard. I did not ask for an explanation; after all, what was relayed to me verbally only took a few words. She spends over 500 manipulative and patronising words completely over explaining what could have been said in 10.

Still I leave it to your judgement, and maybe to that of judges, if we use it in court, to decide what the real message and tone of this missive is.

From: Monique.Verlaan@kent.gov.uk [mailto:Monique.Verlaan@kent.gov.uk] On Behalf Of Margaret.Howard@kent.gov.uk
Sent: 19 August 2011 09:05
To: john@balloons.plus.com
Subject: Closure of Bowles Lodge

Dear John

I understand that you were informed at the assessment of your mother's needs that we would need to move residents out of Bowles Lodge by mid-November and that you have asked for an explanation of this. As you know, Bowles Lodge is planned to close at the end of January. In order to de-commission the buildings and services by this date we will need to ensure all residents have moved by November. Also we have always made it clear that we want to proceed with care and caution in managing the moves of our residents from one home to another, and so we want to make sure this is undertaken in a timely way and in circumstances that minimise the anxiety and uncertainty for each of them. Most of our residents will have moved by then, as will many of our staff on to the alternative roles that they have secured. This could mean the unit will be staffed increasingly by agency staff adding potentially to the uncertainty.

You will remember that last winter we had a couple of particularly heavy snowfalls and we want to ensure that we avoid the worst weather if possible. It is important that the planning that has been done for individuals is concluded in a timely manner to enable their smooth transition, with the support of staff who know them, into their new homes. As I explained in my letter of 29 June 2011 it is important that we meet our duty of care to your mother in planning and facilitating her move. That is why it is important there are definite plans for her and a timetable that gives her some assurance as to where she will be living and when she will be moving. Her recent assessment records that your mother is saying she wishes to stay at Bowles Lodge until the end the assessment, but it also highlights the anxiety that she is experiencing due to not knowing what will happen. As I have said before, I am sure with your help and support we can relieve this anxiety by agreeing the next steps and the timings of these.

There is some scope for slippage of the proposed moving date (of about 2 weeks) in order to secure a room in the right home for your mother should it not be available by mid-November. I understand that you have not yet confirmed an alternative home for your mother but have made some enquiries. Support in securing alternative accommodation with local authority funding is available either through Margaret Terry or Jayne Hodge.

Of course we want to avoid moving your mother twice, should a room not be available in your selected home by the end of November at the latest, and her having to move temporarily into another home while a vacancy arises. I believe this was all explained to you by Beverley and Margaret on 5 August. It reinforces the need to make plans now.

Yours sincerely

Margaret Howard

Director of Learning Disabilities and Mental Health

A poem for mum

A Poem for Mum

Her sight is dimmed

Her hearing almost gone

Yet mum's soul shines bright

Her bones are fragile

Her breathing is shallow

Yet mum sleeps soundly at night

Her fingers are twisted yet soft

Her heart beat is irregular

Yet mum's smile is a beautiful sight

She seems like a pawn to be taken

By people who should know better

Yet mum remains feisty in the fight

Some say poor old soul

What quality of life is this?

Yet mum to her life she holds on tight

Her memory may be fading

Her walk is a shuffle

Yet mum always tries with all her might

Her skin may be shrivelled

And dotted with purple blotches

Yet to my hand mum can hold on tight

So, Graham Gibbens

Who decided to close mum's home

In a court sometime soon

Mum may cause you a fright

Mum does not mind if she is the last one in her home

The fact is it's wrong to threaten her life

She wants me to continue - come what may

Mum's mandate compels me and I will stand up and say

To the highest judge in the land

If that's what it takes to make things right

For my mum

Who I will always love very much

NO NEWS.... YET!

Yes, its been quiet on the news front during the past few months but that DOES NOT mean we have been idle.

Mum's legal team are still preparing the case, gathering evidence and getting expert reports prepared.

I will keep you posted how this goes.

Mum is pretty well though Bowles Lodge is not the place it was. The Day Centre will be moving into the main building and more residents are being moved to other homes. Morale is low. It is sad to see but mum remains steadfast in her determination to see this case through to its conclusion. I am amazed by her tenacity, sense of purpose and hunger for justice. I will support her all the way!

Mum on 6 o'clock TV News!

To view click here http://www.itv.com/meridian-east/care-home-battle89073/

Launch of Mum's legal case

Legal Letter Before Claim

Reaction to Independent article below

Click here to read the growing comments on the Judge's decision against mum's lawyer, Yvonne Hossack. Keep an eye on this as it may change hourly for a while.

A knock back (but not out)!

Underdogs