Tuesday 28 June 2016

We Don't Have An Unlimited Pot Of Money...

....so just why should we double our efforts?
Andy Winter, chief executive of Brighton Housing Trust, said: "I don't believe anyone is a lost cause.
"What everyone of us needs to be doing is doubling our efforts when there is a window of opportunity - and there always is a window of opportunity - to respond in a timely fashion and to help people get the support they need."
So, the support services are under strain, are they? Well...no:
"Brighton and Hove is incredible lucky to have such a range of support services available.
"But people do struggle to understand the system and it is the practical reality of the way it works.
"It does take effort of all parties to do something that will be effective to that individual in dire circumstances."
Yes. All parties.
A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “It’s a sad case. However, we cannot pre-empt any inquest, which we would expect to provide full details of the involvement of care agencies.
“We always do all we can within the law and our resources to help people but some have multiple, complex issues. We rely on their co-operation and engagement, which is not always forthcoming."
Hmmm, I'm sensing a pattern here...
Before he died, Sonny had moved on from various temporary accommodation homes, hostels and hospitals for treatment relating to his legs, drugs problems, and mental health issues.
He had been in contact with mental health services, housing departments and hospitals across Brighton and Worthing - but his family have told how he did not attend some appointments and could not understand the system.
His grandmother Jennifer Tingay said: "I tried everything I could to help him but I think there should have been more help for him."
Seems like there was enough. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.

3 comments:

Ed P said...

If one can double their effort, that must mean they were only giving up to 50% before.

50% effort is quite typical for public sector "workers", who have no incentive to push themselves (due to a discredited and economically-incompetent system which has failed in every country it's been tried - socialism).

Mr Winter is perhaps used to the idleness easily-observable in any public sector organisation, but could pick his metaphors more carefully.

Lynne at Counting Cats said...

What's difficult about attending an appointment generated by a system? Time, place, date, attend.

Spending your bus fare on crack isn't an excuse.

JuliaM said...

"If one can double their effort, that must mean they were only giving up to 50% before."

Heh!

"Spending your bus fare on crack isn't an excuse."

In Brighton, sadly, it probably is.