One of my clients cares for her son who has cerebral palsy. They are having a review and the social worker is looking to cut the budget. One of the ways they said costs can be reduced is for him to wear pads at night, so that a care worker is not needed to toilet him. He is not incontinent and does not like using a bottle, he likes to use the toilet. His mum is obviously not very happy about this and has refused. A district nurse who checks her son out and said his skin was perfect, with no sores, said she shouldn’t allow this as he could start to get pressure sores. Do they have rights to say no?

Thank you

Answered by Sheila Scott

Dear C,

It would be shocking if the social worker actually put this forward at the review, and possibly proposed abuse of the service user.

People with any form of disability are entitled to dignity whether they live at home or in a care home and whether at work or at leisure. They are also entitled to be treated with compassion and respect. To suggest that someone who is not incontinent should be treated in this is not acceptable.

Additionally, making someone lie in their own urine all night could have a devastating impact on their physical health and particularly the integrity of their skin.

This is a very serious matter. If this is proposed and you want to contact me, please telephone me at QCS’s offices and they will take a message and let me know. The number is 0333 405 33 33.

Best wishes.

Sheila