Having a life – this is what it’s all about!
My theme this week has been focussed upon the needs and wishes of the individual and trying to make sure that they are always at the centre of decision making at all levels.
I wonder how we would all feel if other people made decisions about where and how we live our lives? The area, house or flat, the number of rooms, what we do with our time and who we spend it? What a dreadful thought.
We do have to accept that no matter who we are the options we all choose may be limited to a greater or lesser extent by factors such as location, housing, community amenities and cost BUT no one except ourselves usually has a leading role in trying to influence the decisions and choices that we want to make.
If you are a ‘service user’ though, dependent upon help from commissioners and service providers, the choices and options available often seem to be routinely influenced or restricted by others. That isn’t fair.
The most important thing for me in all this is choice. It should not matter what the end result looks like, the important thing is that the individual has decided for themselves the life that they need and want. For those who have difficulty in making their own decisions of course as much help as they need must be provided to give them the same opportunities as anyone else. Our role and that of the rest of society is surely to make sure that, as far as possible, they all get what they have asked for.
It is totally wrong and completely inappropriate in my view for the choices available to be further restricted or rationed for the convenience or needs of others. Particularly prevalent at the moment are the cuts to Local Authority budgets as a result of Central Government austerity measures. Savage reductions in funding are driving Local Authorities to make radical cuts to servicers and this is restricting the housing and support options available. By controlling, influencing and rationing these things the essential need for the person to be at the centre of decision making has been lost.
We have also heard this week that sometimes those unfortunate enough to serve time in an Assessment and Treatment Unit may have their discharge deferred because there is nowhere ‘suitable’ for them to go. I will admit that sometimes a discharge plan will require a robust package of support as well as somewhere to live and that may require some time to organise but none of this should come as a great surprise to local commissioners, it’s called contingency planning. Unless someone is new to the area or previously ‘not known’ to services their details will be well-known to The Local Authority through education and beyond. There should also be resources available to cater for unplanned demand too. There is a legal duty to meet eligible needs so Local Authorities have no excuse for failing to provide and I have no idea how they are getting away with it. How on earth can people have a life if the system is stacked against them.
Most importantly, Local Authorities, Health and others MUST work together to provide families with sufficient support and respite to help avoid a crisis developing in the first place. Not only will this minimise the trauma and suffering it will very likely save money too.
My hope for the future is that no matter what pressure commissioners or Providers are under to save money or other resources we continue to focus on what each person needs and wants so they remain safe and happy doing the things that they want to do. It’s all about priorities and for me the needs of vulnerable people come first so they can all be afforded a decent, happy life.
This being the final day of Seven Days of Action I want to be one of those paying tribute to our long suffering families who are struggling with the consequences of the system getting it wrong time and time again. I have total respect for you all and want you to know that your struggle is my struggle too.
Ian
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