Copthorne family slam “appalling” level of social care

THE family of a man with a terminal illness has slammed the “appalling” level of care local councils are offering him. John Cast, of Copthorne, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2009 and moved south from Staffordshire in September 2010 to be closer to his family.

The 47-year-old lives in Lampson Court with his wife Kerry and their two young children, aged two and three, in rented accommodation which is now unsuitable for his needs.

He is completely reliant on others because he has no use of his arms or legs, while his speech is deteriorating.

The family applied to Mid Sussex District Council in November for him to be moved to a specially-adapted house.

But they are in Band D on the council’s waiting list, meaning they could have to wait two or three years to be moved.

The council’s reasoning for not placing the family on an “exceptional circumstances” list is that the family are still trying to sell their old home.

Kerry, 34, said: “We have been told if we did not have the house in Staffordshire we would have been placed on an emergency list, but it has been on the market for a year-and-a-half and we are still trying to sell it.

“We are in dire need for re-housing and the way it has been handled has made a stressful situation even worse.

“John’s condition has deteriorated quickly and we desperately need suitable accommodation.

“We need a house with facilities for wheelchair access, an adaptable bed and space for hoists to help carers move John around.”

The family are also concerned with the level of care John is receiving from West Sussex County Council.

Until a check up on Monday from a social worker, he had not been visited by social services since November.

A spokesman for Mid Sussex District Council said: “We are aware of the very difficult situation facing Mr Cast and his family and are doing our best to assist. We recognise the urgency of the situation and have referred Mr Cast’s application to a Discretionary Priority Panel to consider this unusual case.

“The panel will meet this week and decide whether or not to award Mr Cast a high priority for re-housing.”

A West Sussex County Council spokeswoman added: “Since Mr Cast moved to the area last year, he and his family have been awarded an individual budget and social care support. This is reviewed after three months.

“We are working with the housing authority.”