Ian’s Story

“JAM CARE & Claire fought for Ian to get him the care he needed”

In 2020, Ian suffered a stroke whilst out cycling which changed his life forever. Ian was a physically fit, married father of 2 boys, who ran his own business in the steel industry. Ian suffered right side “Hemiplegia” and so was unable to move or feel. Ian had major life saving surgery to remove part of his skull to allow his brain to swell outwards (“decompressive hemicraniectomy”). Whilst in hospital Ian caught an infection and contracted sepsis.

Through the work of the hospital staff, and the love and support and of his family, especially his wife Claire, Ian recovered enough to return home, but here his battle continued. Ian was experiencing Transient Ischemic attacks (mini strokes) and a whole host of other major life changes, including:

• Needing to be supervised at every meal, as he had regular episodes of choking and aspirating (inhaling food into his lungs).
• Having limited ability to verbalise his wants, needs, any discomfort or pain.
• Being very anxious, upset and frustrated, and needing regular reassurance.

The NHS only approved Ian for 4 calls / day, which proved insufficient to meet Ian’s ongoing care and clinical needs. Ian’s wife Claire was filling the care void, including a being on call for 12 hours every night, all whilst looking after 2 children, doing a full-time job, and trying to help run Ian’s business.

In Dec 2020, Claire contacted JAM’s owner James, as she was at the end of her tether, and knew Ian needed better care, more support, but with no idea how to navigate the system! It was clear that Ian’s care package was woefully insufficient to meet his needs, so James worked with Claire to diarise every one of Ian’s symptoms, conditions, and needs.

James then acquired a blank Decision Support Tool (DST) assessment template (for continuing healthcare), from an NHS contact, and James and Claire re-wrote Ian’s assessment, and submitted to the CHC (now ICB). James and Claire then began a 3-month campaign/ crusade to get Ian re-assessed and get him the care he needed.

JAM were in frequent and regular contact with the CHC (ICB) Nurse Assessors/ Placement teams/ Contracts Managers, the social workers, West Park Rehab Centre Nurses, Royal Wolverhampton NHS team, neuro rehab team, SALT, stroke team.

After 3 months, and countless phone calls, emails, and teams meetings Ian was re-assessed, and his care eventually increased to 252 hour per week.

Ian now has 2 carers full time during the day and 1 carer at night, and lives in an adapted self-contained apartment with his care team, with daily visits from family and friends, and where Claire often works from.

Ian is a popular client and has a really settled team of 6 staff who support him on a rota basis. We even have a waiting list for staff wanting to join his team!

Ian likes to get out with his team, to the cafe, the pub, he likes playing giant connect 4, watching sport on tv. It is all a world away from his four pop in calls a day.

Claire (Ian’s wife) “The JAM team make a difference to all our lives, Thank you for all you do for Ian, JAM is a great care company, a great support, and a great friend to me”

2 of Ian’s JAM care team “we just wanted to say what a brilliant day, sharing Ian’s birthday with him. The family have made us feel so welcome & included. Ian loved opening his presents from JAM, and we all loved his JAM birthday cake- Thanks again from 2 very happy JAM carers”