"She needs a care plan that is truly person-centred"

I am writing this with deep concern and urgency on behalf of my friend , whose current circumstances reflect a profound failure in the systems meant to protect and uplift our most vulnerable. She is a person who deserves dignity, compassion, and the opportunity to reclaim her independence — yet she is being treated like a second-class citizen. She is currently in Hairmyers Hospital.

Despite her clear need for person-centred care, she has been left feeling unheard, unsupported, and increasingly hopeless. Her physical health has deteriorated to the point where she was forced to give up her beloved dog — a devastating loss that compounded the recent deaths of her close friend and cousin. These bereavements have had a profound impact on her mental health, leading to a significant decline and episodes of suicidal ideation. She is not just grieving; she is struggling to survive.

Her situation is a stark example of the health inequalities that persist in our communities and within statutory agencies. She is desperate to move to a rehabilitation facility where she can begin to rebuild her life, regain her independence, and receive the holistic support she urgently needs. Yet, the communication from the social work department has been poor and inconsistent, leaving her in limbo. Her entire life is sitting in their hands, and the lack of clarity and responsiveness is causing her immense distress.

She has already endured three failed discharges, each one leaving her more vulnerable and less hopeful than the last. These repeated failures have not only undermined her trust in the system but have placed her at serious risk. I am genuinely afraid that without urgent intervention, she will become another death statistic — a tragic outcome that could and should be prevented.

In addition to these failures, she has experienced:

Inadequate support from her previous GP which resulted in her moving practice, with her concerns often dismissed or minimised.

Repeated issues with ambulance transport, leaving her stranded and unable to attend essential appointments, and being labelled a "non-attender"

Poor coordination of hospital appointments, resulting in missed care and confusion about her treatment pathway.

Humiliation and a lack of belief in her concerns, which has eroded her confidence and sense of worth.

This raises two critical questions:

Who is coordinating her care?

Where is the discharge plan?

These are not rhetorical questions — they are essential to her survival and recovery. The absence of clear answers is unacceptable.

The Benefits of Rehabilitation

A move to a rehabilitation facility would not only provide her with the physical support she needs — such as pain management, mobility assistance, and help with daily living — but also the emotional and psychological care that is currently absent. Previous council home care support was most certainly not person centred, leaving her inadequately supported and in danger.  Rehab offers structured routines, access to mental health professionals, peer support, and a safe environment where she can begin to heal from trauma and loss. It would allow her to engage in meaningful activities, rebuild her confidence through pain management and physical therapy and work towards goals that restore her sense of purpose and autonomy.

Rehabilitation is not a luxury — it is a lifeline. It is the difference between surviving and truly living. Without it, I believe she remains trapped in a cycle of decline, isolation, and despair.

This is not just a case number. This is my close friend, who is amazing in so many ways and who deserves to be listened to, respected, and empowered. I urge you to act swiftly and compassionately to ensure she is given the opportunity to move to a suitable rehab facility. She needs a care plan that is truly person-centred — one that acknowledges her trauma, her losses, and her potential for recovery.

Please do not let her fall through the cracks. She has already lost so much. I feel it is time for the system to show her that she matters.