Beyond My Control: Why the Health and Social Care System Need Not Have Failed My Mother

by Suzan Collins

Blurb:
With 33 years’ experience in health and social care Suzan Collins believed she could ensure good care for her mother, and her family relied on her to do so. She was actually delivering training on best practice when she was first contacted with the news her mother had broken her leg at her nursing home and been transferred to hospital.

This is the story of what followed- the gradual revelation of a whole ongoing chain of bad practice and poor care that Suzan, with all her knowledge and experience of ‘the system’, could not influence.

In this highly topical book, Suzan shares her story from her personal and professional perspectives and looks ahead to how we can all contribute to keeping vulnerable people in health and social care system safe from harm.

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2013

Reviews

[Luke Fulcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond my control grips you by the heart strings and pulls you through a true story of frustration, anger, sadness and frequent utter despair. The book illuminates the dark corners of the overstretched, and at times entirely negligent, NHS and care services that is horrifying to witness. It follows the authors struggle to fight for her mother's right for basic levels of care against what feels like a ruthlessly inhuman system that gripped her mother and processed her all the way to the end of life "Liverpool Care Plan".

The book not only functions as a captivating modern story of a tragic struggle against 'the system' but serves to highlight the dangers threatening anyone in the receipt of care. The book introduces the authors mother from the outset, without relying on an unnecessary back story to the authors relationship with her to artificially pump the emotional impact of the book. The gravitas is in the eloquent and accurate recounting of the events leading to the mother's death, allowing the genuine horror of the situation to serve as an honest vessel through which the message of the book is conveyed.

There are numerous moments in the book where your jaw will drop in shock at the 21st century care sector. If you think that we live in a transparent world where every action is taken to meet the basic standards that we expect for our loved ones in receipt of care, you are wrong. During your read, you will witness lying, negligence and carelessness at every level in the care and health services.

It is impossible not to feel great empathy with the authors frustration and sadness as she tries everything she can to improve the care for her mother. The feeling of hopelessness as the author repeatedly tries to rectify substandard care is suffocating at times as she is brushed off, ignored or just told her concerns will be 'looked into'. The sense of the needless loss of life is incredible. The mother was admitted into hospital for a broken leg (as the result of negligent care), and through further hospital negligence and staff failing to follow the care plan, a pressure sore develops. We are left with a bitter taste in our mouths when the mother finally passes away in agony.

If you are a carer, in the receipt of care, or know anyone going through a similar situation, this book is highly recommended. The author does a great job of not only sharing her story, but giving you the tools and knowledge you need to best protect yourself and loved ones from negligence, which is summarised in convenient 'what you need to know' sections at the end of various chapters. While it is harrowing, it will certainly show you how important good quality care is and give any carer that works to good standards a sense of pride. In all, the greatest thing one can take away from this book is a warning against the apathy that exists throughout society when it comes to care standards. The author vocally rebels against this attitude from the outset reminding us that "accidents do not happen."

[Liliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quando pensamos em países como Reino Unido pensamos sempre que são mais evoluídos do que nós em certas coisas e o apoio ao idosos seria um desses aspectos. mas a realidade é muito diferente do que pensamos e nem sempre a galinha do vizinho é melhor do que a nossa.

Este é o segundo livro que leio desta autora que conheci pelo facebook e à qual agradeço desde já o envio do livro.

Esta história é chocante, e causa no leitor todo o tipo de sensações que são aumentadas pelo facto de sabermos que esta história é real. A falta de dignidade e de apoio que é bem patente no livro deixa-nos de rastos e indignados.

Em todos os aspectos nos abre os olhos para a realidade e como em todo o mundo o tratamento aos idosos é algo que é tomado de animo leve e por vezes até desprezo.

Este é um livro bastante interessante e duro. O qual se deve ler para termos uma consciência dos eventos e da realidade universal.

English Version:

When we think about countries like UK, we always think they are more evolved than us in certain things and supporting the elderly would be one of those aspects. But the reality is very different than we think and not always the neighbor's chicken is better than ours.

This is the second book I read by this author, whom I meet and talk on facebook .

This story is shocking, and causes the reader all kinds of sensations are enhanced by the fact that we know that this story is real. The lack of dignity and support that is evident in the book leaves us devastated and outraged.

In all aspects opens our eyes to reality and how worldwide treatment of the elderly is something that is taken lightly and sometimes even contempt.


This is a very interesting and hard book. Which one should read to have an awareness of the events and the universal reality.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read this book, I must admit to going out of my comfort zone. I prefer fiction to fact as a rule but this book, which is an account of the last few weeks of the author’s mother’s life in the health care system, left me angry, sad and frustrated. I was angry at the way elderly people in hospital or homes are still treated in our so-called civilized society. I felt sad for Suzan and her family and this heart-wrenching account left me with tears streaming down my face at one point. I feel frustrated that despite all her attempts to get answers and for someone to be accountable, in the end, despite assurances that measures were now in place to make sure it couldn’t happen again, the hospital and care home were simply paying lip service.

More worrying is that the author works in the health care system herself as a consultant writing the very training manuals that were supposed to prevent this kind of thing happening. If she is unable to get answers and to prevent this unacceptable treatment of elderly people, then I worry as to how the rest of us who may need treatment ourselves one day, or who have friends or family in a care home or hospital, will fare. Suzan didn’t want to sue the hospital or care home: for her it was never about the money, it was about getting answers and making sure nobody else suffered in the same way. Fortunately she gives a list of addresses, contact details and websites should you be unfortunate enough to need them. As she points out, the majority of care is good but it shouldn’t be acceptable in my view for even one more elderly person to be treated without respect, dignity or compassion. It’s a pity that there isn’t a handbook for common sense.

[Fiona Dodwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. Not because of the writing: author Suzan Collins is evidently gifted in writing and I find her style very engaging. No-the reason this book was difficult to read at times was because of the nature of the topics covered within the account. As somebody who works in the Health & Social Care field myself, I found myself wincing at some of the encounters the author had whilst dealing with the care her Mother received. The health system is, sadly, flawed, and there are many much needed improvements needed to raise care standards. As the author highlights through her own work experience and training skills, education to health staff play a major role. And so does personal attitudes of staff delivering care. Still, amidst the really dark and stressful experiences described by the author, there are also moments where the goodness, dedication and care shine through from certain individuals, giving us hope. I found this book sad at times, but also informative. I'd go as far to say that this book should be available to all working in healthcare environments. There are lessons within these pages to be learned. The author managed to take what could've been an uninviting subject and yet made it readable, engaging, interesting and eye opening. I highly recommend this, whether you are working in care, or not. There is something valuable in it for everyone.

[Sande Waybill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart-breaking nightmare is revealed in this true story of the unfortunate demise of an elderly lady and the battle against bureaucracy that her daughter goes through when trying to put things right. Rigmarole follows mistake, follows error, follows carelessness, as things get worse instead of better in the situation. The daughter battles onward beyond the end, but finds no true solution, only eventual peace when letting it go, knowing she has done all that she could do. The author continues to fight for a better social care/health system.

Along with the story, are multiple ideas that can help you if you go through a similar situation - what you should do, what you can do, what you must do. Contact information for organizations that may be able to help in such situations are also given, as is advice for dealing with problems with the NHS care system both in hospital and homes.

It brings to mind both good and bad memories of hospital staff which my recently deceased father encountered - and I am grateful that his NHS mishaps were minor and more to do with his own perception and discharge difficulties than actual medical faults.

I would recommend this book to carers, NHS staff, those with elderly friends or relatives in care homes/hospital, and those interested in the understanding the British health system.

[Felicity Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A chronicle of what happens when the authors mother is failed by the very people who should have been caring for her. Beyond My Control is a topical read written by a health care trainer who, with over 30 years experience, found herself battling bureaucracy after her mother, having broken both her legs at the nursing home where she is a resident, is admitted to hospital where once again she is failed by a flawed system.

A harrowing read that one cannot help but be moved by. Given my personal circumstances I did think twice about reading this but, despite having shed more than a few tears, I did find all of the advice including the extensive appendices (much of it written using bullet points) concise, very informative and, best of all, easily read by the layperson.

Though undeniably a shocking account of grave negligence I'd recommend this to anyone who finds themselves in the position of a loved one needing care for as the saying goes 'to be forewarned is to be forearmed'. And as for those in the care profession? This is definitely something they should read.

Copyright: Tracy Terry @ Pen and Paper.
Disclaimer: Read and reviewed on behalf of the author, I was merely asked for my honest opinion, no financial compensation was asked for nor given.

[Book-shelf Shelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't work in the care profession so wasn't sure what to expect when reading this book but to say I am shocked and overwhelmed at what happened to Suzan's mum and how she was treated. It has really opened my eyes up to what is happening all around the world in care homes and I would recommend everyone who works in a care home/hospital to read this book and those who don't. My fingers are crossed that nothing like this happens to anyone I know but if it did before reading this book I wouldn't of had a clue what to do and probably wouldn't of questioned it but now after reading this book I know what to do should I need to.

Zoe

[Katie Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book very heart rending at times , I must say that this is a book that anyone looking for a career in the medical profession, new or older, or anyone looking for a home for their loved one has to read. Filled with so many informative websites and help for everything , all written so as the every day person can read without having to know all the medical jargon. The author and her family have been through this torture but still had the strength to write it down for others to learn from.