Supporting Claire - Personal Injury

What were the challenges?

Claire sustained life changing injuries after a car accident and following a litigation claim from her person injury insurance her Case Manager brought together a rehabilitation team to support her in all areas of care such as Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Psychology and Advocacy.   Her Case Manager came to CVA to ensure her views and wishes are upheld in all the plans for her rehabilitation.   Claire was left with limited verbal communication ability. As Claire’s injuries were so significant the advocate delivered non-instructed advocacy in a ‘watching brief’ approach which involves regular observation and questions of people giving her care within eight domains of quality of life.

 

What advocacy support did we provide?

The advocate:

  • Met Claire regularly to build rapport and become familiar with her and her routines
  • Carefully worked out how to understand her gestures, drawings and writing and developed communication techniques tailored to her
  • Investigated what was important to Claire before her accident
  • Consulted with Claire’s family, friends and support network to find out what was important to Claire and her beliefs and values
  • Learnt about Claire’s hobbies and how she used to spend her time
  • Ensured that Claire was given the help or adjustments needed to make her own decisions where possible
  • Brought information in an easily accessible format such as photos or information from relevant web pages for Claire to review her decisions
  • Made sure that all the professionals around Claire work within the Mental Capacity Act and tried to involve her as much as possible in any decisions
  • Contributed to decision-making processes on behalf of Claire to make sure her views, wishes and beliefs were taken into account
  • Played a role in the Multi-Disciplinary team and ensured that Claire was always at the centre of plans and decisions

 

What difference did our advocacy support make?

The ongoing advocacy has helped with a range of decisions, some significant, such as:

  • Planning the move from rehab centre to a rented accommodation in the community
  • Accessing facilities and services in the community
  • Every day activity planning
  • Rehabilitation goals
  • Long term life goals

There have been several medical decisions made for Claire while she has been in rehabilitation such as operations needed, or whether to have a COVID-19 vaccination and the Advocate helps to weigh up the issues and balance risk based on how Claire made her own decisions in the past around similar issues.

Some decisions related to who Claire spends time with and who lives with her.  The Advocate ensured Claire’s human rights to family life, with a home big enough to accommodate family visitors as well as supporting Claire to plan the wedding that was postponed due to her accident, ensuring this was carried out the way Claire had wanted.  The Advocate helped Claire to find a unique way to choose and communicate her wedding vows. By using communication aids the Advocate helped Claire to write and draw how she felt which they turned into her vows and speech. The Advocate was then able to read them out for her in the ceremony to her husband.