Carers Forums in Cornwall

Transcription

1 Carers Forums in Cornwall Minutes of the meeting of the FALMOUTH CARERS FORUM held on 22 September 2015 at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Western Terrace, Falmouth TR11 4QJ In Attendance: 8 Carers (including one new carer), hereafter referred to as Forum Members) Charlotte Davis, Falmouth Art Gallery Ruth McLeod, CSW Team Leader (Mid), Cornwall Carers Service Chris Watkin, Forums Administrator (West), Cornwall Carers Service 1. Welcome and Apologies The chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made around the table. There were 2 apologies. The chair explained that the meeting is a generic forum for carers to come and talk about their issues. There are 9 Forums throughout Cornwall, each meeting quarterly. Each Forum has a Carers Partnership Board member, who will take any issues raised by members that can t be dealt with at the Forum meeting to the Carers Partnership Board, which also meets quarterly. Professionals and service providers attend the CPB meetings and should be able to address issues raised. 2. Actions Arising from the Last Minutes & Approval to Publish Action 2. A member s concerns that staff at her Doctor s surgery were no longer prepared to carry out procedures on patients who need to be restrained was to have been raised at the CPB meeting on 10 th September. However, there was no representative from Cornwall Health at the CPB meeting so it wasn t raised this time. Action 5. Paper copies of the information on Disabled Parking Regulations (previously circulated to members with ) were distributed. Members were advised that there is no need to send the old permit back when making an application for a renewal. Action 7. Paper copies of the Fact Sheets on the New Care Act (previously circulated to members with ) were distributed. 1

2 Action 8. A meeting has been arranged at the CRCC Office in Princes Street Truro on 1 st October, when Sarah Newton MP will give a talk on the New Care Act and answer member s questions. All other actions were completed and individual members updated as required. Minutes from the previous meeting were approved for publication. Action: Chris 3. Carers Open Discussion The member who had been having problems with her GP s Surgery because staff were no longer able to treat patients who needed to be restrained, has now resolved the issues. Following a meeting with the GP it s been agreed that any necessary treatment or procedures will be given. This issue also came up during a recent hospital visit and was addressed by way of Best Interest meetings, when a plan was devised so that blood and dental checks could be done. Members present then discussed similar issues they had experienced due to capacity issues which had caused difficulties, such as carers refusing to shower someone if they said they didn t want a shower. Another member gave an example where medication hadn t been given because the cared for had refused it, but the family were unaware of this. Formal carers can t force a person to take medication, or disguise it in some form, as this would now be classed as abuse. The new member present said that her son had complex issues and following an initial incorrect diagnosis and incorrect medication, had gained a lot of weight. There was concern that the initial signs of bed sores could be missed, and more information was needed about this. There is information on the internet but not everyone has access, and it can still be difficult to diagnose. Ruth advised any members with concerns to get advice from their GP or ask for a visit from a Nurse. Another member told the meeting about the difficulty she d had during a recent visit to Treliske with her husband. Delays, caused because a scanner broke down, resulted in her husband losing confidence so that he was unable to get from a wheelchair into the car. The staff in the Foyer weren t allowed to help, and said that ambulance staff would have to be called, which led to further delays. A member highlighted the fact that if a disabled person has National Trust Membership, their carer can accompany them free of charge. Another member, whose daughter has cerebral palsey, told the meeting about an incident where her daughter became severely dehydrated following time in respite when she wasn t given enough fluid, but wasn t taken into hospital. Her medication has been changed and she is totally dependent. Eventually she was admitted to hospital. The member is her daughter s sole carer and although she has some respite breaks she is very tired. Ruth advised the member to request a referral to a Carer Suport Worker to help with getting a Carers Assessment for herself and a Needs Assessment for her daughter. The same member said that during a break where her daughter had gone on holiday with 3 carers, there had been problems where one carer was left to do everything. After highlighting the inadequate care, she had not received an 2

3 adequate response. Ruth advised the member to make a complaint to the Care Quality Commission, who are able to inspect care homes and should have any issues reported to them. Complaints can be made anonymously. Another member also advised her to contact Adult Social Care and ask for more help. A member asked what would happen if you were asked to pay a top up by a Care Home, but were either unwilling or unable to pay. The member was advised that the Council would be responsible for finding a home that would provide care for the amount they would pay. If the cared for has been a member of the Forces there are some charities who may contribute to care. Ruth explained that during the process of going into care a financial assessment would be carried out at the beginning. If the cared for is over the threshold, which is currently 23,000, they would be expected to pay for their own care. People are assessed yearly and Nursing Home fees are considerably more than Care Homes. When someone is diagnosed with a long term health care need they may become eligible for Continuing Health Care. If eligible, care will be funded by the NHS. When a member booked her flu jab she was told it was possible that District Nurses may no longer be giving the jabs. Other members hadn t heard this, but said that some pharmacies can give flu jabs if there s a problem getting one elsewhere. Ruth advised members to contact their surgery if there was a problem with their cared for attending in person, to ask for a home visit. Another member said she had found Trescobeas Surgery to be very helpful to her as a carer. A member said that she needs help now with taking her husband to hospital as he s very poorly, and has been able to find private transport locally for a reasonable fee. Members were also advised to contact Age Concern if they are having transport problems, who can help with this through TAP. 4. Information from the Cornwall Carers Service Ruth has started a GP Pilot at the Falmouth Health Centre. On Thursdays between 9-1pm a member of Ruth s team will be there in one of the Doctors Rooms. Usually this will be Nic Mevan. Members raised several issues concerning grants. Ruth explained the matters raised, and said that she will give a talk at the next Forum about the various grants available. Action: Ruth to give a talk on the various grants available at the next Falmouth Carers Forum on 1 st December, and prepare printed information sheets for distribution to members 5. Charlotte Davis, Falmouth Art Gallery Charlotte said that she would like to offer free support to Carers and gave several examples of activities available to them: o Visit the gallery and have a tour with artists o Make something themselves o Have a cup of tea and relax o Take part in a group activity o The Chamber can be booked for private use e.g. a Christmas party 3

4 Charlotte said that the Council Chamber could also be booked for Forum meetings and that there is parking nearby at either the Moor or the Quarry Car Park, which has a shuttle bus service. Folllowing discussion members present said that they would like to book the Council Chamber for future meetings. Action: Charlotte will check availability and let Chris know Charlotte said that the Gallery is trying to build on adult workshops and asked members to let her know of any ideas they have. Charlotte s contact details are: Charlotte Davis, Access & Interpretation Manager, Falmouth Art Gallery Tel: learning@falmouthartgallery.com In response to an enquiry from Ruth, Charlotte said that a CSW Team meeting day could be held in the Gallery. 6. Issues Raised at the Carers Partnership Board There were no issues raised for the Carers Partnership Board at the last meeting. 7. Review of Actions Raised at this Meeting (Appendix 1) 8. Issues to Raise at the Carers Partnership Board (CPB) (Appendix 2) 4

5 Footnote to Members The next meeting of the Falmouth Forum will be held on Tues 1 st December 2015 at the new venue in the Council Chamber, at Falmouth Town Council Municipal Buildings, The Moor, Falmouth TR11 2RT Carers Partnership Board and Learning Disability Partnership Board Forum representatives are needed to attend the Carers Partnership Board and also the Learning Disability Partnership Board meetings. If Forum members are able to attend either of these meetings would they please contact Sylvia Johnston, sylvia.johnston@carersrights.org.uk or telephone Expenses incurred may be claimed Meeting Dates for the Carers Partnership Board Meetings: Thursday 3 December am 3.00 pm Cornwall Carers Service can be contacted at 2 Princes Street, Truro TR1 2ES Tel: info@cornwallrcc.org.uk 5

6 Actions from Falmouth Forum 22 September 2015 Appendix 1 Forum: Issue Falmouth Minutes from the meeting held on 23 rd June were approved for publication 2 Members were unsure of the difference between various grants that may be available to them and would like clarification 3 Members felt the acoustics at the current venue made it difficult to hear. Charlotte suggested the Council Chamber could be booked as an alternative venue, and members present said they would like her to book it for future forums if available. Carer Groups Affected All All All Solution Chris to action Ruth will give a talk on the grants available at the next Forum meeting on 1 December. She will also prepare printed information sheets for distribution to members Charlotte will find out if the Chamber is available for the December Forum and let Chris know. 6

7 Appendix 2 Issue Carer Groups Affected Solution CPB Action Forum: Falmouth Date: 22 September 2015 There were no issues for the CPB from this meeting 7