Three years ago we managed to secure continuing health care funding for my mother as she is in the late stages of Alzheimer's disease. My 89 year old father still cares for her full time at home however. Her care plan entitles her to 50 days respite a year but since receiving CHC funding and now in the hands of the NHS I am unable to make the bookings myself. Her CPN must do this. As there are very few respite beds in our area, social services hold the diary and all bookings need to go through them. I am having great difficulty getting the CPN to do this however and we face another year of just trying to take respite if and when a bed becomes available. My father is far from well now with kidney disease and cardiac problems and desperately needs the respite. Without being able to book in advance however we cannot arrange breaks for him. Has anyone else had this problem? I deal with 12 different agencies in order to co-ordinate my mother's support at home. The only thing I am prevented from doing does not get done !