Couple needing care help claim they have been 'treated like rubbish' by NHS and council

A Leicestershire couple claim to have been "treated like rubbish" and their requests for social care help have been ignored by both the NHS and Leicestershire County Council. Steven and Emma Leavesley, who both need care, were even reportedly told that Steven "did not look disabled" by one nurse.

The couple, from Rothley, say the problems started at the end of August this year when Emma, who is Steven's carer, attended the Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI) A&E with severe back and leg problems as well as 20-day constipation. Emma, who was also suffering from saddle anesthesia - a loss of sensation in the area that includes the buttocks, perineum, and inner thighs - was scanned, and spinal issues were detected.

Things came to a head after more visits to A&E led to Emma's admission into hospital and then when she was due to be discharged. Mr Leavesley explained that he could not let Emma into the house if they sent her home as she was Steven's only carer and they had a young daughter at home. He said the nurse replied “If you don't let her in and you're home, I'm going to phone the police and have you done for neglect and abuse of your wife".

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Over a period of nearly three months the couple have "begged for help" with their situation, to no avail. Several emails sent to the NHS, including the patient liaison service, and Leicestershire County Council (LCC), which have been seen by LeicestershireLive, confirm this, with some emails headed "Urgent, please help".

As of Tuesday, November 26, Steven said no adaptations had been made to their bungalow, and Emma cannot leave their home because neither she nor Steven can get her out of the front door. Mr Leavesley said Emma now has to live in the living room and there is "still no care package in place."

Steven had a major stroke in 2004, and now has post stroke weakness, brain damage, sciatica, nerve pain and left side motor control problems. Alongside this, he has a prolapsed disc and a diagnosis of Spina bifida occulta (a birth defect that happens when the spine doesn't fully form during pregnancy). Their daughter, Isla-Rose, is 10 years old and the couple say support is needed for her - but help is still yet to be arranged.

Timeline of events

Friday, August 30

Emma attended LRI A&E. The 30-year-old was kept in overnight but then discharged on Saturday, August 31 and told to book into physiotherapy, and a referral to the spinal clinic would be made.

Tuesday, September 10

Emma returned to LRI A&E in "extreme pain and was struggling to walk". She was told she had "foot drop" - a difficulty in lifting the front part of the foot - and was advised this was normal in her condition. Emma said when she explained about the constipation and sickness she was experiencing, this was ignored.

The hospital did the spinal referral as an urgent case as this had not been actioned. Emma was given painkillers and an air boot and crutches. Despite having arthritis in her wrists, she said no assessment was made on using the crutches, and was "measured for them and then discharged".

Friday, September 13

Steven said he filled in an online needs assessment request on the LCC website for a social care assessment for Emma. On Monday, September 16, Emma contacted adult social services to be told the assessment was going to be months away due to a backlog and "someone would be in contact when Emma was ready to be triaged and put onto the correct list for what she needed".

Steven then tried ringing to get Emma help and support, and was put through to the single point of access (SPA) team who ordered equipment including a bath board, toilet frame, gutter walking frame, this was to be delivered to her.

Wednesday, September 18

Emma had a call from adult social services and was told that as the SPA team had ordered the equipment for her there was nothing else they could do to help her with and discharged from their lists.

Monday, September 23

Emma attended a second physiotherapy appointment. She said he "took one look at her and said she needed to go back to the spinal doctor in the hospital as soon as possible".

Tuesday, September 24

Emma could barely stand and was in excruciating pain, with Steven saying it reminded him of when she was in labour. They went back to LRI A&E. Mr Leavesley said her [left] leg "was shaking even when she tried to move it without weight". He said she was still constipated and sick and looked "really poorly".

The 46-year-old said: “At first they just tried giving her more painkillers and send her home with no scan saying nothing has changed and wait for a consultant appointment in so many weeks. I threatened the doctor over the phone that I would go to the Care Quality Commission if they didn't scan her because there had been a change".

He said they finally agreed to a scan and found what they called slight changes. He said staff "treated her like rubbish" and gave her incorrect information about medication.

Wednesday, September 25

Emma was due to be discharged. Steven said there was no care in place, so this would not be possible. Mr Leavesley said he tried to explain that Emma was his carer and he would not be able to look after her. Emma said the nurse told him he “didn’t look disabled”.

Steven said he would not let Emma in the house if they sent her home as she was Steven and Isla-Rose's only carer, he said he asked who would help them adapt and care for them, as he could foresee the situation they are in now. The nurse reportedly replied: “If you don't let her in and you're home, I'm going to phone the police and have you done for neglect and abuse of your wife”. Emma said she was told she was going to have an assessment of need prior to leaving the hospital but this didn't happen.

Mr Leavesley said Emma was then sent home on an "unsafe discharge", with no care package in place. They were informed SPA was meant to be sorting the at home physio and care package on Friday, September 27 with a morning phone call. After no call in the morning, Steven called SPA in the afternoon and said they were told there was no record of a phone call or home visit to be made on the system.

Thursday, October 10

The district nurse and occupational therapy team came out to see Emma. Steven said she screened positive for cauda equina syndrome (a condition that occurs when the nerves at the base of the spinal cord are compressed) and an elevated heartrate.

At this point he added, she was not eating, had constipation and was being sick. She was referred to the A&E at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham and was then admitted to its spinal ward. She was discharged on Monday, October 28, with no care package in place.

What have the NHS and Leicestershire County Council said?

Julie Hogg, Group Chief Nurse at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS and University Hospitals of Northamptonshire Group, said: "We are sorry to Mr and Mrs Leavesley for their experience, which did not meet the high standards our patients should expect. We are in touch with them directly through our Patient Advice and Liaison Service and I would like to assure them that we are fully investigating the concerns raised."

A spokesperson for Leicestershire County Council said:““We received a request from our NHS partners on 14th November to consider a social care assessment of Mr Leavesley’s support needs and will be ensuring this is followed up as quickly as possible. A Continuing Healthcare package assessment for Mrs Leavesley is also being carried out for Mrs Leavesley and, if eligible, a package of health support will be put in place.”

The county council said they have had a direct request for support for Isla-Rose from Mr Leavesley, and have undertaken an assessment of her needs.

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