Woman 'fighting for dignity' in row over care

A woman who needs hands-on care 12 hours a day is battling a council decision to change her carers and has said she is fighting for dignity.

Charlotte Hale, 33, who uses a wheelchair, has cerebral palsy, fibromyalgia, mixed anxiety and a depressive disorder, claims a decision to change her carers is a "safeguarding issue".

She moved to Telford from Milton Keynes in August after suffering falls at home, and was given three months of care support by a domiciliary care firm, but the short-term funding ran out on Friday.

She has been refused care from another company. Telford and Wrekin Council said her support would not cease, but a change-over in provider is underway.

Miss Hale, of Donnington Wood, had her care provided by Home Instead, but the firm is not on the council's list of approved providers.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has seen a letter from her doctor confirming she "requires hands-on care support 12 hours a day", which is "essential".

The Newport-based doctor told council officials "any changes to care at this point would in [their] view be a serious safeguarding issue and lapse in care would lead to further neglect".

Miss Hale said no legal assessment of her needs had been carried out and she has refused, for "safeguarding reasons", for her case to be handed to another company until a formal assessment is done.

"I don't want to get to know another set of people seeing me naked," she said. "It is degrading."

Miss Hale, who has a double masters degree in legal professional practice, is writing a book and wants to set up a consultancy.

"A manager came to see me and all they wanted to talk about was budgets, equity, saving money, and cutting my hours of care," she said.

"I am fighting for the right to dignity."

A Telford & Wrekin Council spokesperson said: "While we aren't able to comment on individual cases, we can confirm that commissioned support will not cease on Monday, and a change-over in provider is being facilitated.

"Those in receipt of care are aware of this."

The council has previously stated it is facing significant budget challenges in social care, especially for older adults and people with disabilities.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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