"From a Carers' Pespective: Really Supportive & Compassionate Care"

From the outset of my husbands’ diagnosis of early & rapid Alzheimer's disease in 2015 our main source of ‘outside’ help support is via BDCFT Older Peoples’ CMHT (Manningham). He has continuing support and interventions via CPN Karen and Consultant Dementia specialist, Dr Higgins. They have both been very proactive in supporting both me & my husband from the onset, often working jointly with the Adult Community Mental Health team North (Somerset House) when I myself reach points of crisis as a carer. We have also had extremely helpful interventions from Vicky, an OT within the team, & Shaun the Older Peoples' team Manager.

One outcome of this continuing support that is proving invaluable to us is that my husband has been given access to 10 hours a week day care (Mondays' & Fridays) via what I’ve been led to believe is the only NHS day service provision for organic illness across the whole of the Bradford CCG’s district. This facility is based approx. 7 miles from our home in Shipley, at Woodward Court Resource Centre, Allerton and is presently facilitated jointly by BDCFT staff and social care staff, & they do a brilliant job - treating my husband with the upmost care & compassion at all times & I am very aware that staff (led by Sue are often going that extra mile to ensure he remains as comfortable & as settled as he can be under the circumstances.

The NHS also provide Patient transport (with escorts) to and from home to enable him to attend the day service due to the health and safety issues relevant to his personal needs; A real asset to us as without this transport facility my husband and many others who attend would not realistically be able to access this service, and benefit from its wonderful provision.

My husband has been attending this Day facility since December 2015, and after a few initial hiccups he now (thanks to the patience & perseverance of the staff) appears very settled & happy within the service, enjoying both the much needed stimulation, and social interactions that the service provides of which sadly I am unable to provide him at home on my own. Having said that I also appreciate the much needed 'respite' time. Speaking as a wife & Carer I really appreciate all the help we get from the OP CMHT Manningham as without them we would be getting no support or help at all; as sadly any Support I. e. respite care provision via Social Care services is proving impossible, due to their array of working policies & procedures creating unworkable barriers in meeting my husbands' personal care needs. Karen my husbands' CPN however, is doing her very best to help; and attempting to liaise with social services & continuing nursing care to try and find a solution.

I am so grateful for the continuation of support & care that we receive from Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust as a whole, and I rely on it greatly - which I feel very guilty about as I know all staff are under a lot of pressure with very little in the way of resources.