THIS SYSTEM IS A JOKE... IT DESPERATELY NEEDS REFORM
NORMAN Phillips calls the social care system a “joke” after resorting to calling 999 for his dementia-suffering wife.
The 71-year-old former IT boss gave up work in 2008 to look after Rosamund, 72, who also has multiple sclerosis and other health problems.
The couple, from Stevenage, Herts, have spent their savings and money from the sale of their home to meet care bills. They now rent a council-owned two bedroom bungalow.
In January Rosamund was in agony and Norman was eventually forced to call 999 for an ambulance.
Norman said: “After a week of increasing pain and approaching the GP several times, the district nurse and dialling 111 – which never returned calls – I was forced to call the emergency number.
“Ros was whisked off to hospital where they found she was on the verge of suffering a perforated bowel.
“She had three days in hospital at huge expense to the taxpayer and where she was very upset and disoriented.
“The social care system is a joke. There’s no joined-up thinking. Older people are left to struggle on alone, and then the situation is made even harder because the health professionals no longer want to leave their offices.
“The district nurse was trained and experienced but she didn’t want to accept any responsibility. She said the doctor had to take the responsibility but the doctor wouldn’t come out.”
The couple struggle on their state pension supplemented by a small private pot. Norman, a grandfather of two, added: “It was disappointing that there was nothing about social care funding or reform of the system mentioned in the Budget.
“Last year I was worried about the triple lock on pensions and we were pleased then that Jeremy Hunt kept it in place. At least there was none of that worry this time round.”