Guernsey 'lacks adequate resources' to support home care

Paul Watts said his father wants to go home

The son of a man stuck in hospital waiting for a community support package to be put in place has said Guernsey lacks adequate resources for home care.

Paul Watts said he had "no idea" if help to enable his father to go home was days, weeks or months away.

Three people are in the Princess Elizabeth Hospital waiting for support in order to be discharged, the States of Guernsey confirmed.

Bosses acknowledged there were ongoing issues providing community support.

There are 39 more people in the community waiting for help with care at home, the health service added.

On Tuesday, the States revealed there was a major shortage of beds at the hospital.

'Live better'

Mr Watts explained his father was ready, willing and able to return home with help, but was stuck on a waiting list for support.

He acknowledged the health service had been promoting care in the community for about eight years and described it as "a good thing, because people live better in the community".

However, he added: "We've obviously reached a point where there aren't adequate resources for the levels of demand."

Three people are currently at the PEH waiting for support to be cared for at home

Head of community health and social care Karen Leach acknowledged there were challenges with the amount of care that can currently be provided in the community.

She said issues with capacity both in the hospital and community were a "frustration" for the heath service.

"We want people at home if that's where they're ready to go," she added.

'Value our carers'

Peter Harwood, chair of local charity Carers Guernsey, said better support for family members who take on a carer role would ease pressure on the health service.

He explained the States must "better value our carers" by looking at an allowance for them and reviewing how people access the Long Term Care Insurance Fund, which helps the elderly secure private care.

Mr Harwood said: "At the moment you can only access that fund if you go into residential or nursing care.

"It's not geared to be providing care at home."

Follow BBC Guernsey on Twitter and Facebook. Send any story ideas to [e-mail].