Care system facingcrisis, warn couple

SPEAKING out . . . John and Dorothy Fogg

A RETIRED couple receiving daily home-care visits have spoken out about their experiences of the care system.

Dorothy (75) and John Fogg (80) shared the failings of the system to highlight social injustice as well as the more positive encounters.

The couple, of Richmond Walk, are reliant on a supply of oxygen 24 hours a day, Dorothy due to hypoxia and byssinosis and John due to a lung condition.

Changing care provider in September transformed their situation for the better but they said "there is still a long way to go" and blamed budget cuts for the widespread negative impact on care provision.

Husband and wife both expressed their thanks to Home Instead who they said do the best job possible under the pressures from government.

Dorothy Fogg, who hopes to write a book about their experiences, said: "The care is as good as it can be given budget cuts.

"Many of the carers do their very best.

"But we cannot tell lies and say everything is hunky-dory.

"The problems stretch across the entire care system.

"Maybe it is because I have been a nurse and have high expectations.

"But it is sad to think that people who have worked all their lives and fought for this country have to suffer in their old age."

Ex-war veteran John is thought to have developed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) from substance exposure at Werneth-based machinery manufacturer Platt Platt Brothers.

While Dorothy's rare lung disease, byssinosis, could date back to her work as a nurse in a cotton mill.

The pair claimed limitations placed on them due to poor health have been "worsened by neglect".

Dorothy shared stories of broken personal items, damaged household goods, even heartache at being refused a microwave meal on their wedding anniversary.

Former nurse Dorothy said: "We have been neglected by several care companies over the last two years.

"Nightingales Homecare Services would not even make us a microwave meal on our 57th wedding anniversary because it wasn't in the care plan.

"I was refused cups of tea by some of their carers.

"Nightingales told me I wouldn't even get a carer coming in for 30 minutes in an evening because I was capable of doing things myself.

"It has happened from company to company.

"Someone nearly blew up the house by putting our new kettle on without water in it.

"I had to show someone how to cook a microwave meal.

"Someone else has melted things onto the oven.

"We had things stolen from our house."

Nightingales, run by Fogarty Care Services Limited, said they were unable to respond to the individual complaints due to confidentiality.

Director and owner Michael Fogarty said: "Due to the confidentiality of the services we provide we are unable to comment on the specific details of the issue.

"We do the best that we can and my staff go out of their way for people in our care.

"I am not disputing that we make mistakes.

"We need central government to put more funding in place so there is a fair playing field."

Complaints about the quality of care provided in people's homes has risen by 25 per cent on last year, recent figures show.

More than 370 complaints were made about local authority funded home in 2015-16 the local government ombudsman found.

The couple complained to Oldham Council about the care they received from another provider four months ago which resulted in Home Instead taking over the service.

Dorothy sung the praises of the independent home care provider which prides itself on one-hour minimum home visits.

Councillor Jenny Harrison, cabinet member for social care and safeguarding, said: "Our officers liaised with the residents following complaints about the quality of the home-care service they were receiving.

Supported

"We have supported them in changing providers and we're pleased they are now happy with the care they are receiving."

Dorothy said: "Thankfully we have received better care from Home Instead.

"The difference between this company and the others we've had is that they listen to you.

"Now our carers stay a full hour and we receive four hours of home care every day.

"The care varies from person to person but most are diligent."

Home Instead Senior Care managing director Mick Sheehan said: "They had lots of positive things to say about the way we deliver the support in comparison to how it was.

"What we do for the Foggs is nothing different to what we do for any of our clients."

Dorothy said: "While the care is much improved sadly we are not there yet."