Waiting for the government to fix the care sector won’t work, we need to do it ourselves - Angela Fletcher

Whilst the hospital did their best with the resources they have available, putting a meal in front of someone unable to feed themselves and removing it later saying ‘weren’t you hungry’, resulted in me having to ensure someone was with my mum all day. Things just weren’t right on every level, and I was lucky being able to be there for her, as many patients didn’t have visitors. Who looks after people who don’t have family?

Having been an unpaid carer for my mum for five years now, trying to keep her at home whilst running a number of businesses, the strain really started to show. Even with help from friends, family and my own staff it was exhausting constantly challenging what was taking place. Knowing the system myself it should all have been an easy process, but the bottom line is that it isn’t, the system is broken, and something needs to happen to fix it.

It was also a huge learning experience as I was doing what so many families try to do, keeping a loved one at home. Thinking this was the right thing for her, when the end result of her moving into a care home has been the best outcome for her. As a bubbly and extrovert character, she now has daily entertainment and is thriving on the attention and atmosphere in the home.

Choosing a home however was a completely different ballgame. Having visited the list the hospital gave me; I declined all the options. It was only after this and asking to look further afield that I found a home I was happy with. How many people are able to go to these lengths, and what happens if you don’t have a power of attorney and the hospital decides for you?

There is a circle of care ranging from unpaid carers to domiciliary care, to hospital admissions and then nursing homes. A circle of care that currently has huge gaps and pitfalls that many people are falling through. Whilst mum was in hospital I resorted to speaking to the nurses and also supporting people on the ward who didn’t have visitors or support. Bringing in treats that matched dietary requirements, and making others smile in addition to my own mum.

It all made me want to do something to fix it - complaining isn’t enough, we need to take action. It was out of this experience that the Yorkshire Care Alliance was born. Creating a charity to have a positive impact on the care sector, to look at where the problems are, and actively find solutions. Working collaboratively across the sector, from unpaid carers to care homes and disability equipment providers. Pooling experience, sharing expertise, supporting each other.

If bringing CEO’s from across the industry can’t start to fix some of the challenges, what else can? We all have so much to contribute, different experiences to share, ideas and solutions others may not have previously considered.

Bringing Nick Swash in as CEO to run the charity immediately brings vast experience in leadership roles and experience of working in various business sectors Taking on board Ambassadors and Trustees to immediately pool talent and start sharing ideas.

Why are we different? There currently is no other organisation looking at the whole care cycle. There are independent companies and organisations focusing on specific parts of the sector, but this is where the gaps start forming, and the challenges that people face arise.

Having been through this myself this year has been both a learning experience but also an inspiration to do something about it and turn my experience into a positive outcome.

It is early days for the charity, and we launch in September with six different workshops across the region covering six of the key topics. These include culture, CQC, workforce, insurance, legals and ending with a play relating to dementia and care.

Anyone involved in care is welcome to attend and support us in bringing about positive change. Help us to collaborate across the sector, and instead of just stating how broken it is, actively work together to make constructive and positive action.

Waiting for the government to fix the care sector didn’t and won’t work – it is something we need to do for ourselves. We won’t be lobbying or protesting, we are simply going to work together across the sector to find solutions ourselves. If you are an unpaid carer, or work in the sector, we would love you to join us. Just go to the Yorkshire Care Alliance website for more details.

Angela Fletcher is CEO at Happy Futures Support Specialists.