accompanying someone to visit their GP

[redsails]

My friends brother has a learning disability and lives in his own flat alongside several other people with various levels of learning disabilities. They are all looked after by staff from the same company. He has additional medical conditions for which he was advised by the dietitian to modify his diet especially as he became very overweight during the covid lockdown. My friend has discovered that he is still eating fatty and processed foods and is now having problems with his bowels. The care staff say what he eats is his choice and there’s nothing they can do. My friend has asked that he has a re assessment by his GP and a nutritionist which staff have agreed but say only staff can go with him to the appointment and she is not allowed to go despite accompanying him to previous appointments. Can anyone advise on this please. Thank you.

[Jofisher]

I’m sorry I would go nuts if anyone said that to me and I’m family there’s no way I would accept that. You need to contact court of protection speak to them apply for deputyship if your friends loved one lacks mental capacity and if they have mental capacity your could apply for a lasting power of attorney. I would also speak to the mencap helpline and the carers association because all though your friends not a hands on carer she may well do a lot of other things to support and help. I wish you luck you could also look into whether he would be entitled to an independent mental capacity advocate.

[redsails in reply to Jofisher]

thanks for your reply Jofisher, I’m not sure my friends brother lacks capacity, from what I’ve experienced with him he usually says what he thinks you want to hear especially if he thinks it will get himself or someone else in trouble. Would a best interest decision be allowed if someone didn’t lack capacity, my own view is that it’s a very fine line.

[Mybestfriends]

Absolutely agree with Jo fisher on this. I am Mum, Carer with Power of Attorney for my, 32yr old Son. He has Learning Difficulties ASD, Dyspraxia & Schizophrenia. I would certainly, seek for a Mental Health Advocate.

[LifeofPuy]

my sister is in a similar situation. She wrote a letter giving permission for me her older sister to get result, speak to the medical staff and accompany her if appropriate. Her support staff will take her but cannot really have the same approach as family. Ask the medical practice first. Then approach the setting manager. Good luck.

[learner01]

I think you may find that it is illegal for them to prevent your friend going to the appointment. I’ve recently been involved in having to make a healthcare decision about surgery for a learning disabled relative and our local health authority guidelines which I think are based on the Mental Capacity Act say that no one has authority to make a decision for someone lacking capacity but a best interest decision has to be made by the doctors, family members and friends of the person in discussion together.

I’m sure you’re local ones will be similar.

It cannot possibly be in the best interests

[learner01]

sorry sent to soon by mistake.

It cannot possibly be in the best interests of your friends brother to have family members excluded from medical appointments to discuss matters that they have raised.. and as I’ve already stated it’s very likely illegal.

[learner01]

It is also potentially a safeguarding issue because of the poor health outcomes from a bad diet. It cannot be in his best interests to be eating food that causes him bowel problems. If people aren’t able to pass bowel motions it can lead to their bowels becoming ‘gummed up’ so to speak with faeces. Which can mean they have to go to hospital to have them removed. It is actually a potentially very serious and can be life threatening matter.

In extreme cases people can end up vomiting faeces and there have been deaths . My relative spent 10 days in hospital being treated for faecal loading which is an early stage of it beginning to happen. In epilepsy sufferers it can cause seizures.

[redsails in reply to learner01]

thank you so much for your reply, I’ve passed all the comments I’ve had on to my friend. I don’t think she considered it being a potential safeguarding issue either. Hopefully she’ll be attending the appointment.

[Jofisher]

I don’t go along with that I would discuss with safeguarding at social services and see what they say