Derry man's family plea for help as long term care package set to be removed

A Derry family has pleaded for help after a highly personalised care package is set to be removed from one of their loved ones.

Alan Saunders (39), who has muscular dystrophy as well as having a tracheostomy tube, is currently under the 24-hour care of local provider, Northwest Care.

Northwest Care provides services including domiciliary, personal care, companionship and meal preparation. Their website states: “NW Care offers a broad range of services with tailored plans to provide just the right level of care that you require.”

Alan’s current care package ends later this month, following Northwest Care resigning their contract with the Western Trust, due to a dispute over a pay increase for its carers.

Speaking of the potential loss of Alan’s current carers, a family member said: “Not only does Alan need to build trust with people coming into his home, but also, so do we. With his current team of carers, we know we don’t need to be here.

“Generally there always is a family member in the house, but it’s not always possible. We also have our own family commitments, so it’s so relieving to know we don’t need to worry about Alan if we are away anywhere.”

Northwest Care has been Alan’s care provider for the past 27 years, which has meant they have been able to provide a highly customised care package to Alan and his family.

The current set of carers had to undergo three months of training in order to be able to care for Alan’s tracheostomy tube correctly, which is a device surgically inserted in his throat which helps deliver him oxygen and keep his lungs clear of fluids.

One of the carers said: “We are devastated ourselves, we want to provide Alan with the care he needs to give him as normal a life as possible.”

Alan stated: “I want Northwest Care to look after me, no matter what.”

Tragically, Alan’s mother died shortly after he had spent a long stint in the hospital. He was released from long term care after “living in the hospital” which meant he was able to receive care at home, giving him a more independent lifestyle.

In a widely shared social media post, a member of Alan’s family stated: “This was Alan's Mammy's wish always. Sadly, Alan's mammy Frances passed away after a long fight to secure this care package. It was a constant battle between Frances and the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) to understand that she would fight tooth and nail to bring him home after a long two year stay in Spruce House.

“Frances died five months to the day after Alan came home from hospital, due to the stress and worry she died from a massive heart attack. Once again we as a family are now back in the same position.

“Northwest Care provided the highest level of care to meet all of Alan's complex needs, something no other carers could provide.”

The family member’s Facebook post concluded with: “As Alan reaches the age of 40, something none of us ever imagined we would see, we can honestly say this has been because of the love and care given to Alan by his family, friends and especially his care providers Northwest Care.

“We need to support Alan through this and hope that WHSCT can see that it is in Alan's best interests to afford his carers with the pay rise they should be given, and not dismiss this to cut costs.

“This is Alan's life and at all costs, his family will fight as his mammy did, to keep this care team around Alan.

“We do not want this care to be dismissed and another care provider step in because it would save money.

“Alan's happiness, well being, health and emotional needs should continue to be given by Northwest Care.”

Northwest Care has been approached for comment.

A spokesperson for the Western Health and Social Care Trust said: “Due to confidentiality reasons we do not comment on individuals.

“We will address any concerns with the family directly.”