The project has been running
since January 1997 and is staffed by two job share advocates. The
hospital closed during August 2001, with remaining patients
relocating to various community settings. The project is due to
continue for at least a further three years to provide advocacy after the
patients have left the hospital.
The aim has been to build up a
relationship with the elderly long stay psychiatric patients in
order to enable them to express their views, wishes and fears
concerning the hospital closure and their resettlement. This has
been achieved by frequent contact with them over the last two years.
Our role includes attending Care Plan Approach meetings [CPAs] and any other
meetings our service users invite us to; accompanying service users to view alternative placements; gathering information required by service users.
Below is a fictitious case study to illustrate
some of the problems faced by our service users {based on several of
our service users}:
Tom - a gentleman admitted in his
teens and now in his seventies. Lost contact with family and friends
over the years. Has not received any visitors for many years. Adult
life spent relying on the hospital for care, work, entertainment and
relationships. Despite a sheltered existence has cultivated
interests such as reading, listening to the radio and occasional
trips to musicals. Has very limited experience of life outside the
hospital. He is reluctant to accept the hospital closure and is
terrified by the thought of leaving. Tom has no confidence in making
decisions, as he has had no experience of having to.
Faced with a limited choice of suitable placements.
Will lose a certain amount of independence as the hospital offers
access to a bank, hairdresser canteen as well as friends and a great
deal of space.
Advocacy has enabled Tom to voice his
views and opinions in a manner he was unable to do so in the past.
Over the next year HE (with the help of his advocate where
necessary) will be able to make a significant input into what will
be a major life style change. |