Case shows that the care system needs reforming

IF EVER there was a case that proves that health and social care need to be combined, it is that of Allan Sheppard who suffers from motor neurone disease. It has been a monumental failure in every possible respect. The poor man has been confined to hospital for months because no one has been able to work out a format for alternative care. Home care was deemed too expensive; the only viable nursing home too far away. But as the authorities continue to fret about what to do, Allan remains in his virtual prison and this as he nears the end of his life.

The present impasse creates the worst of all possible worlds for everyone: for Allan himself, obviously, for the hospital and even for any other potential patient who is currently being denied a bed. But as we have repeatedly pointed out in this newspaper, as the population ages this problem is only going to get worse.

At 69, Allan is by no means in the section of the population that is living to a very great age these days, but he is an example of why we urgently need to start examining the overlapping areas of health and social care.

Many people will need care for years but are not actually ill enough to be in a hospital. What are we going to do for them? Meanwhile, if anyone involved in this particular case has any compassion, surely they will prioritise a satisfactory resolution. It is the perfect example of how not to care for people at the end of their lives.