Hello,
This is really interesting! I am in England, and I believe in Scotland there is a different system. I have found that I have had to really stand my ground, in lots of instances, and become the absolute expert in my mother. Fortunately having LPAs 'just' sorted in time, meant that this process was easier. My mum has a rare dementia, which is very difficult for some to manage as she can't tolerate meds. I have built up good relations with the social workers and care teams over the last few years. I also have learned a huge amount (my default is to research, and talk to as many people as possible), and am pretty active in mum's care, as her responsible person.
I keep notes, consistently, as noone else has an overview of mum's care and the various stages we have been through. I ask for update meetings, and copy everyone in who is necessary. It takes time and persistence. And I do this for my mother.
This is all advice I was passed on by various people in the sector, healthcare and charities, and I wouldn't have done it otherwise.
And it has been very helpful.
Without all this, I think mum, frankly, would not still be alive due to over prescriptions of medications last year that hospitalised her, as some did not believe mum's diagnosis. A final section 2 & 3 period in hospital has led to a strict rule that she has no meds. At last! But it took a long time.
In the new care home I believe they do not see me as an equal partner, yet, but I have experienced this previously, but had to work hard to prove my expertise in mum and build the trust to get it.
I'll be interested to hear the outcome and wider conversations.
HX