A case study of a Comrie man has helped shape a report by the Scottish Government outlining measures to reduce delayed discharge and provide care closer to home for people with learning disabilities and complex needs.
Louis Sainsbury’s story was seen as a model of what can go wrong leading people to end up being locked in hospital.Louis’ mum Kate was on the working group that created the Coming Home Implementation Report, which was published on Monday last week.One of the key aims of the working group was to raise the profile of an overlooked minority of people with learning disabilities.At the moment there are around 70 people detained in hospital.
Others are sent to England, far from home, because there is no suitable care in Scotland.Louis, who is now in his mid-30s, had enjoyed six years’ quality of life in a care home, with a stable team who understood both how he communicates and his other needs, until the home closed in 2018.
There was no alternative placement in Scotland so Louis was sent to a home in England – 250 miles away.With no help provided for Louis or his new care team to make the necessary transition, Kate had to stay nearby to offer reassurance to her son and assist with training staff herself.Kate said: “Louis was afraid and homesick.
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