CORONATION CELEBRATIONS

I chose to visit Elizabeth on Sunday as I felt that crowds might have been too much for her on Saturday for Coronation celebrations.

I arrived at Ash Villa around 11.00 am but Elizabeth was not up so I said I would wait longer. Quite often she is tired in the morning as she cannot sleep at night because of noise on the ward or because she is awake all night having slept all day. It was around midday by the time Elizabeth came out with a smile on her face but I noticed bruising and red marks over the side of her face. I then asked Elizabeth about the bruising and she said that she had banged her head through sheer distress of the noise on the ward. Elizabeth is situated near the seclusion room where it is particularly noisy. I have asked countless times for her to be moved but nothing has been done. I then asked a young healthcare assistant if I could speak to a nurse in charge. I was astonished by the response. It was not the fact the senior nurse was too busy but she had commented that Elizabeth scratched herself. However I then said it was the bruising that concerned me and when I went on to explain how the bruising happened after having already heard Elizabeth’s account and that I was prepared to wait for the senior nurse her response was “your time starts NOW!” (time meaning leave) I then said “Oh not it doesn’t”. We waited about half an hour but gave up in the end as no-one came out to see us. My concern is before moving to this area Elizabeth was NOT self-harming. This is the effect of 19 months of shocking incarceration where she has been treated like a restricted prisoner under Lincolnshire Partnership Trust who have put other things as top priority that sadly I cannot write about as much as I wish.

We did not leave until 12.30 am. I was taking Elizabeth to Coronation celebrations I knew she would enjoy. I had read about the event on line held in a small village called Wellingore. It started at 2.00 pm and commenced with the fabulous (Foss Dyke Band) and thereafter three other groups. It was organised by Matt Gardiner, Chair of the Wellingore Memorial Hall and what a fabulous event it was. There was a BBQ and hog roast, bar, ice cream stall, cake stall, WI cake stall and various others. There was also somewhere where you could buy oriental food. More and more people began to arrive and we had to move to a quieter location as Elizabeth was not feeling comfortable in the crowds. Elizabeth went to buy food from various stalls and was very happy. We could not stay long but my first thoughts were how well organised it was and I would say well done to all of those involved/who contributed to this brilliant event.

I then drove back and dropped Elizabeth off. I did not bother to go in and to speak to any staff of my concerns. Instead, I wrote to the two commissioners from each area ie Joy McKenzie and John Turner of my concerns. This is what they are providing.

Elizabeth’s face lit up seeing the small children running around and the dogs brought by families and before we left we bought cakes to share with the friends and food to take back.

On a more serious note getting back to the self-harm, Elizabeth told me that there is a sharp edge somewhere in her room she is aware of. For anyone so distressed like Elizabeth this seems to me a health and safety risk in terms of the facility. It does not seem to be safe but when I drew attention to health and safety at home on the 5 March since then all leave home has been cut. Whatever is the point of this when I requested a few adaptions to make things safer and still nothing has been done so perhaps whoever is responsible for funding – is this Joy McKenzie by any chance? could get matters in place so that Elizabeth can resume her home leave as it is getting warmer now and the annex has its floor down. Still a few things to finish but not one single person from social services has got in touch which shows complacency. If things are so very complicated surely they could communicate effectively to her family and explain the situation but no, this is too complicated for social services in Lincs. If it is not their responsibility then I need to know is it Enfield’s to provide these adaptions but at least say one way or another.

As for the Care Act Assessment at the CPA former area care coordinator HK attended and something about a map and pointing out where Elizabeth wanted to live was discussed. That sound’s interesting a map when there has been talk of a locked rehab yet again. However when I pointed out that “a home of her own” being suggested would be a home owned by someone else Elizabeth understood perfectly as after all she has full capacity. The annex would be a home of her own but requires a few adaptions which would be a darn sight cheaper than a locked rehab which would cost circa £200000. I will get to the bottom of who is paying for this you can be sure and I think it is of public interest.

I am not happy that those at the top of the Trust/Council whether it be social services, ICB or the Trust are keen to allocate others to answer complaints directed to them. Then you get unsatisfactory answers and so in good communication I decided to write to all of them at the top in one email copying in everyone. I will feature this if I get no response or if I get any more unsatisfactory responses.

Last of all Elizabeth shared something with me that it would appear that I am a joke to the majority of staff. Well I have a good sense of humour and it is not that I cannot laugh at myself at times however I would like to hear these jokes in order that I can share them and then everyone can have a good laugh. I then asked Elizabeth if I was joked about in a nice way and then she said “no” but nevertheless I would still like to hear these jokes so anyone from the team who wishes to respond to this please do – let’s hear these jokes lol!