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Pudsey dementia home won't let dad go
A war of words has broken out over a man being kept in a Pudsey dementia care home against his, and his family's, wishes.
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Ross Ambler's family is taking legal action, claiming their father is being "locked up against his will".
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Mr Ambler, 77, a retired tailor, has lived for decades at his own home in Cookridge, Leeds, and was cared for daily by sons Antony Ambler and Stuart Ambler, who is a senior psychiatric nurse.
They say their dad has "slight memory loss" but doctors for Leeds City Council say he has "irreparable unspecified dementia" and needs 24 hour care in Musgrave Court, Pudsey.
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Mr Ambler's sons say he has has been in good health previously and Leeds consultant psychiatrist Dr Malikayil Alexander, who is backing their case, said that the best place for him is at home, being cared for by his family. The doctor says he has "never seen a case like this before" and the wishes of the family should be considered.
Son Anthony Ambler, 47, of Cookridge, said: "Our father is literally being locked up against his will. They say he isn't capable of making decisions, getting dressed or feeding himself, but that is not true.
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"I will be arrested if I take him out of the home. We can't even take him for a short walk alone and what we think is ignored.
"He is just like any other man of 77, getting old with slight memory loss. He knows his own mind and is not on any medication for dementia."
He was placed at Musgrave Court, a care home for people with dementia, nine weeks ago, after being admitted to Leeds General Infirmary for chest pains.
His family say it is like being in a prison: "We will take this all the way and fight the decision of Leeds Social Services".
Now the family, with the backing of mental health solicitor Rosemary Bell, is planning an Independent Appeals Tribunal against Leeds Social Services, then if necessary the Court of Protection and the European Court of Human Rights.
Anthony said: "My father is distressed. We are devastated that we have no rights. We know what is best for him. We fully dispute that he has any form of serious dementia. He hates being away from home."
Consultant psychiatrist Dr Alexander, of the Nuffield Hospital, Leeds, said: "I examined Mr Ambler. I found he is no different to most men of 77. He has slight age-related dementia, but nothing that means he should be in a dementia care home. He is not on any medication for dementia or Alzeimhers."
A spokesman for Leeds City Council, said: "Adult social care services do everything in their power to help older people stay in their own homes.
"However, we would not be doing our job if we did not act to make appropriate care arrangements when assessments show that the risks and challenges of continuing to live at home outweigh the benefits.
"In Mr Ambler's case, we have worked closely with his doctors at LGI and his psychiatrists at the Leeds Partnership Foundation (mental health) Trust to assess whether Mr Ambler would be able to return home safely.
"An Independent Advocate was appointed to give Mr Ambler an independent voice at a meeting duty. This meeting agreed that he should stay in Musgrave Court."
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 19 May 2012
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Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North
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Temperature: 7 C to 12 C
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