Pete’s wish to die at home could be over

Jan 24 2008 by Wendy Horton, South Wales Echo

Pete’s wish to die at home could be over

THE wife of a multiple sclerosis sufferer fears her fight to allow him to die at home could be at an end.

For six years Pete Rees has been cared for at home by his GP wife Siaron West and carers provided under a scheme paid for by Cardiff social services and the government’s Independent Living Fund.

The arrangement has worked well for Pete, 35, who is dependent on others, and enabled Siaron to carry on with her job at Trethomas surgery, near Caerphilly. Its also given Siaron time to spend with daughter Catrin, seven. However things look set to change as Cardiff’s social services wants Pete to be looked after by the NHS.

On Monday The Echo reported Siaron’s fight for Pete’s care package to be maintained, allowing him to die at their Cardiff home. Just a day after the report Siaron received a letter from social services threatening to withdraw her husband’s care on March 4.

The letter said Siaron had two weeks to allow Pete to be assessed – a process she has been delaying over fears his care would cease.

Siaron, 36, said: “I’m absolutely devastated. I just burst into tears. I rang my friend sobbing with Pete in the other room hearing me howling and wondering what was going on. I have coped with this for months and months, and this looks like the end.”

Siaron is now attempting to get a high court injunction to stop the process which Cardiff city Council says is a legal requirement.

A council spokesperson said: “Cardiff Council always complies with community care legislation. This legislation requires us to carry out assessments of an individual’s needs which determines the basis of our delivery of a care package. We have the responsibility to undertake a continuing healthcare assessment jointly with health personnel.

“Should this assessment determine that the person qualifies for continuing healthcare, the responsibility of meeting the person’s needs lies with the Local Health Board.”

Siaron has the backing of her MP Julie Morgan, who said: “I am shocked they are doing this,” she said. “They should be doing their best to support her. I am dismayed at the way the local authority has behaved.”

wendy.horton@mediawales.co.uk