Son fears being trapped in 24-hr care for mum after service cuts
CUTS FEARS … Alan Blackett caring for his mother Edna.
A DEVOTED carer to his disabled mother fears he will be left ‘high and dry’ after he learned vital support was being withdrawn.
Alan Blackett, 35, looks after mum Edna, 68, 24 hours a day.
She suffers from chronic breathing problems, diabetes and a host of other physical problems which require full-time care.
Mr Blackett, of Redwell Lane, Marsden, said he is more than willing to help and ‘does it for the love’.
But now the only support he gets is about to be withdrawn.
Every morning, carers with the council-run home support service come in to wash and clean his mum and deal with her personal hygiene needs.
It gives Mr Blackett – who has enjoyed just one night out in the last year – a brief chance to relax.
He has suffered from mental health problems in the past, and attempted suicide a few years ago.
Thankfully, with the help of medication, his condition has improved greatly in recent years.
Now he fears his mental health will deteriorate if the morning care is withdrawn.
He said: “I don’t mind looking after my mam, I do it for the love, but the lack of support is disgusting.
“After she came out of hospital after a chest infection, we were allocated the home service. The staff come first thing in the morning to wash her. It’s something I could do, and I don’t mind doing, but my mam would rather others did it – to keep her dignity.
“The ladies who come in are wonderful and I really rely on them.
“Now I am told that they are losing their jobs and the service is to be withdrawn.
“I will be left with nothing, trapped here day and night.
“I’m not expecting round-the-clock support – but I can’t cope all by myself.
“The danger is that I will crack again. I don’t want that to happen.”
Mr Blackett added: “The carers came in the other night for a couple of hours and I went to the cinema.
“It was the first time I’d had the chance to get out at night for months.
“Even those rare breaks are now going to be taken away from me.”
Mrs Blackett added: “I depend on Alan for everything, 24 hours a day.
“Without him I couldn’t cope. He really is one in a million.
“All he is asking for is a little support.
“I’d end up in a home if I didn’t have Alan to help me.”
This week the Gazette highlighted the plight of the estimated 16,000 unpaid carers in the borough, and the Carers Trust says almost six out of 10 feel their mental health has been affected by the strain of caring for a loved one.
South Tyneside Council has funded the Home Support Service in conjunction with the borough’s Primary Care Trust (PCT) for several years.
The PCT says it is committed to continuing some support services until March next year.
A joint statement issued by NHS South of Tyne and Wear, working on behalf of South Tyneside Primary care Trust (PCT) and South Tyneside Council, said: “The Home Support Service is aimed at supporting people in South Tyneside to be independent in their own home, and in turn prevents unnecessary hospital admissions and encourages early discharge from hospital where appropriate
“South Tyneside Council has, in the past, provided funding for the service, which is provided by South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust.
“However, following significant reductions in the funding it receives from the Government, the council has had to prioritise its funding towards social care services rather than health based services.
“In doing so, it has taken the difficult decision to withdraw funding for this service from September 2012, but remains committed to working with its partners to support people in the community.
”We would like to reassure patients that services will continue to be provided for people in their own homes.
“NHS health commissioners have identified funding to continue to commission the Home Support Service for patients until April 2013, whilst a full review of intermediate care services takes place.”
