CHC assessment round 2

So after waiting patiently for several weeks I received a call to meet with the CHC assessor and the chair of the CHC board. I was nervous about this as you would expect but I had been diligently compiling evidence myself over the weeks and documenting everything of relevance. Mum was still in bed with the pressure ulcer and despite the initial assessment concluding the pressure ulcer was healing this had proved not to be the case. Mum was now unable to feed herself which was something that had been brushed over by the assessor at our initial meeting, this without doubt is a significant change in her circumstances as it makes her care needs much greater. After I had given Mum her lunch I met with the CHC team. The atmosphere wasn't overly cordial as I had questioned the motives of the assessor in my complaint letter and here we were face to face again. The bigger picture was what I decided to focus on I wasn't there to make friends or back track I was there to get Mum's condition and complex care needs recognised. The Chair took control of the meeting and went through all the evidence that had been gathered in light of my letter and extra information that I supplied - over and above that documented by the assessor. We discussed the assessment sheet in detail and lots appeared o have changes since the initial brief assessment.  We discussed the pressure ulcer and it transpired that on the day of the assessment it hadn't actually been assessed so rather than check again on the process of the ulcer its presence had been disregarded- this proved to be a major flaw in the document as the ulcer was still present and actually was increasing in size and this should have been followed up on the paperwork. This just backed up all I had said about the assessment process not being fit for purpose and in effect was all I needed to substantiate my feeling about the initial assessment. The upshot of the meeting was that yes my Mum had deteriorated since the last assessment - this was in contrast to the initial findings that she had actually improved ! I was relived but not surprised I knew the initial assessment was flawed and I suspect many cases applying for funding are dismissed at that initial stage - my question now is how many should actually be dismissed ? I suspect this is much less. There were still hurdles to jump though, Mum's case would now be presented to the funding panel who would ultimately make the final decision on funding. This was a small victory in itself though as the initial assessment wasn't even suggesting mum's case went before the panel. I left the meeting drained - I was happy but really felt that I should not have had to put so much effort  in to getting Mum's case this far. The deterioration in mum's condition was significant and obvious and it was bitter sweet fighting to get this recognised. We certainly hadn't won the war but I had fought the first battle and and come out on top and this was something to be proud of. A date was set for the panel review and all I could do now was wait and see what there decision would be.
I suspect many who go down the CHC route are unaware of what the assessment looks at and how it is scored - this information is available on line and I would urge anyone who is going to a loved ones assessment to read up on things before hand. It proved invaluable to me and meant I could actually challenge the assessor on areas that I felt were not being assessed properly. If you don't think the case has been fully assessed than challenge it - yes its daunting but you know your loved one best and you know how they are deteriorating and how their care needs and increasing , don't be pressured by authority , stand up and speak out if you think things are not being taken into account properly. I suspect very few people do this as they don't know how to , I didn't ! Just sit down before the meeting and note what you consider as important factors , refer to the assessment tool and see if these are assessment criteria. After the assessment you are still unhappy put your information and issues and writing and ensure they are followed up.
All I could do now was wait for Mum's panel hearing it would be a nervous few weeks but I was happy I had done all I could to ensure her assessment had been thorough - eventually.