More support needed says Isle of Wight family hit by care crisis

The words of an exhausted Isle of Wight mum who cares for her severely disabled 34-year-old daughter.

Nicky Scott says she no longer knows where to turn, as her family deals with the fall out of the care crisis on the Isle of Wight.

Five years ago, Nicky's daughter Karly opted to have an operation on her sixth brain tumour.

As a result of that procedure, she suffered a stroke and lost her speech, mobility and could no longer feed herself.

Karly's care package is fully funded and the family used to be guaranteed visits from two carers - on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons - giving respite.

Now, with carers leaving the profession and a requirement, for those who remain, to be vaccinated against Covid-19, Nicky has found herself in the position of being Karly's second main carer - which means she cannot leave her, even to go to the shop, on the days when she would normally be able to take a brief break.

The Isle of Wight Council has admitted that she is not the only Islander in this position, as contractors struggle to meet their commitments, but it insists it will step in to help, where needed.

Nicky told the County Press, "If Karly has a seizure, she needs two people.

"I am on edge all the time.

"Until five years ago Karly made her own decisions and lived her own life.

"Now, she uses a wheelchair, cannot communicate and is peg fed.

"I'm expected to sort everything out and I can't do that anymore."

Karly has twice battled pneumonia and blood clots in both lungs, which means Nicky does not want to risk bringing Covid-19 into her home.

It means unvaccinated carers can no longer visit.

With up to 200 new recruits needed, across all sectors, to meet the care demand on the Island (according to Cllr Karl Love, who heads up adult social care for the Isle of Wight Council), the pressure is taking its toll.

"We've dealt with everything that's been thrown at us. We cope with it. But it's got to the point where someone needs to do something about care on the Isle of Wight," Nicky said.

"The only people I see are carers.

"I haven't even got a weekend to look forward to. I can't even cook tea."

A government ruling, made in July, means care staff must be double-jabbed by November 11.

Westminster says it is a bid to protect vulnerable residents, but sector managers have warned that some employees will leave their roles as a result.

Nicky says she knows people are facing situations even more pressurised and difficult than hers but she cannot even visit her 76-year-old mum.

She said: "You're told you have to accept what's happened and live with it. I'm saying I can't live like this for the next, who knows how long?"

A carer's allowance is just £63 per week for a 24-7 responsibility.

Nicky's priority is Karly, but her daughter is an adult and she says Karly has a right to be treated like one.

She is quick to praise the individual carers - who work for Nobilis - who are dedicated to their roles and are often trying to cover the work of more than one person.

It is the system that is failing, Nicky told us.

"I can't push her in a pushchair and wheel her off for a break like I did when she was young," said Nicky.

"It's not good for Karly to spend all her time just with me.

"She needs interaction to keep her going. She doesn't leave the house, except to go to hospital.

"My husband and I have done everything for her since she was little.

"The only respite I was getting was when I knew Karly was safe and being looked after. Now, I spend seven days a week indoors."

Karly falls through a gap in care on the Island.

Care homes for adults are filled with people much older than she is.

Nicky says she knows moving her daughter into one would see her go downhill.

An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said: "While we are unable to respond to specific cases, we recognise and acknowledge the concerns being raised here.

"Further support and guidance is available through our adult social care team.

"Due to the current workforce challenges being experienced here on the Isle of Wight and nationally, some family members may be asked to support with the commissioned care for their relative, if they are able to do so.

"This could include being asked to be a 'second carer,' when a care agency attends the person's home and has insufficient staff to provide two carers to provide the required support.

"This could include a family member being asked to help with mobilisation, or with personal care, to ensure that the person needing care remains supported and safe.

"If a family member is unable to do so, they should make contact with the provider in the first instance, to explain that they are unable to provide this support for their family member.

"If the provider is unable to help, the family member can contact Adult Social Care on (01983) 823340, to seek further support or guidance."

Nobilis did not respond to the Isle of Wight County Press's request for a statement.