By Amanda Hill and Lucy Series, 24th October 2024 Hopes were high back in 2022. Tony Hickmott[1] who had spent 21 years in a secure Assessment and Treatment Unit (ATU), was finally moving back to his home town of Brighton, close to his parents, Pam and Roy. This was seen as a new beginning for Tony, who hasContinue reading “Tony Hickmott: Not the happy ending everyone had hoped for”
Tag Archives: Learning Disability
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council named as “secret” body in restraint case
By Celia Kitzinger, 6th November 2023 I reported recently on a case in which both the judge and the family expressed concerns about the physical and chemical restraint of a learning-disabled autistic man (“Judge concerned about ‘restraint regime’ for learning-disabled man prohibits naming public body”). But I wasn’t allowed to name the responsible local authority. I am now allowed toContinue reading “Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council named as “secret” body in restraint case”
Treatment delay: “My son has got disabilities but that doesn’t mean he’s a nobody”
Research has painted a troubling picture of the quality of healthcare people with a learning disability have received (or not received) over the course of the pandemic, exacerbating already high levels of health inequalities
Listen to him, listen to his mother: The William Verden hearing
Parents, in my experience, are the best judges, of what their children with disabilities can achieve. Our children are constantly under-estimated, set aside, and given insufficient care and support. William has, by any estimate, done an incredible job in tolerating the treatments to date. He has shown exceptional resilience and courage in the face of challenges any child would find difficult, let alone one with his particular disabilities. This should be recognised in determining whether the burdens are too great, as should his clearly asserted wishes.
Dental Clearance with Post Intensive Care Syndrome: A Compassionate Decision by Hayden J
This hearing arose because a hospital trust has applied for welfare orders under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 to permit them (i) to perform a full dental clearance on M in hospital under general anaesthetic, and (ii) to use a combination of chemical and physical restraint in order to manage M’s transfer to hospital.
Capacity to Engage in Sexual Relations: A forthcoming Supreme Court hearing
By Charlotte Roscoe and Celia Kitzinger, 9th July 2021 Editorial Note: This blog post concerns a case in the Supreme Court. The Open Justice Court of Protection Project normally covers only cases in the Court of Protection. We have made an exception in this case (as we have before, for cases in the Court ofContinue reading “Capacity to Engage in Sexual Relations: A forthcoming Supreme Court hearing”
Chaos in court and incompetent decision-making: Visual monitoring Part 2
By Claire Martin, 17th June 2021 This hearing, on 6th and 7th May 2021 before HHJ Howells at Wrexham County and Family Court (COP 13575520 Re: B) was the second hearing I’ve observed concerning “David” – a 39-year-old man with a severe learning disability, poorly controlled epilepsy and congenital cerebral palsy with right-sided hemiplegia. At the previous hearing, onContinue reading “Chaos in court and incompetent decision-making: Visual monitoring Part 2”
Best interests decisions when P’s views and wishes cannot be determined
The issue at this hearing was (still) whether NW should remain in Dover House, which is what the CCG (who fund her care) argued, supported by the local authority, or whether she should return home, which is what her mother wants.
Bringing Lucy home
Listening to this story of Lucy’s recent life, and her family’s efforts and persistence in caring for her, was quite shocking to hear – though not entirely surprising. There were so many things that were briefly mentioned, or alluded to in passing, that it was hard to take in all of the incidents and issues that have caused concern and rancour between the family and the Local Authority since Lucy left home. What was quite clear, though, was that things had become much worse over the past year or so, even before the pandemic.
Visual Monitoring, Deprivation of Liberty and Human Rights
By Claire Martin, 6th March 2021 Inspired by the Open Justice Court of Protection Project, I have attended several Court of Protection hearings over the past 8 months (and blogged about some of them too). As a psychologist working with older people in the NHS, I have found these observations valuable continuing professional development. They are a great educationContinue reading “Visual Monitoring, Deprivation of Liberty and Human Rights”
Promoting Open Justice in the Court of Protection 