Care (2018) Movie Script
1
This programme contains
some strong language.
ALL: ..Five, six, pick up sticks.
Seven, eight, run to the gate.
Nine, ten, a big fat hen!
[THEY ALL LAUGH]
In you get. Come on, let's go.
Who wants fish and chips?
CHILDREN: Me!
OK, so it's fish and chips for four,
and are you going to have
mushy peas or not? No. No.
Eh? You've got to have mushy peas.
No...
Fish and chips aren't fish and chips
without mushy peas.
1.60 chips, 2.80 fish.
How much together?
4.40? Correct.
So, fish and chips for four,
Sophie, please?
I don't know.
Looking forward to eating them?
Yes. Then I strongly advise you to
attempt an answer,
since not to do so could result
in a crushing disappointment.
17.60. Thank you.
[PHONE RINGS]
Hiya, Mum.
Oh, we'll be there in five minutes.
Warm the plates. Why?
We've got fish and chips.
I told them no burgers and no chips.
It was my idea.
No, it wasn't. It was Sophie's idea,
because she can twist you round
her bloody little finger.
Aw, they've been good.
Well, I don't care.
They've had chips twice
this week already.
They're going to start
looking like bloody chips.
Put her on a sec. You've got me
into trouble. Sorry.
Hi, Mum.
What did I tell you?
Grandma wanted them.
No, she didn't.
Honest, Mum, she did.
We wanted pizza.
CONVERSATION FADES: I told her
you'd go mad. We wanted pizza, Mum!
[CAR HORN BLARES]
Grandma? Grandma!
Gran! Grandma!
Sophie, what's wrong?
[GIRLS SCREAM]
Grandma! Come on, wake up.
We're going to crash.
[CLATTERING]
Hello? Sophie?
Sophie?
Sophie!
Hello? Hello?
Hello!
Can anybody hear me? Please
pick the phone up. Hello?
Mum!
Excuse me. Sorry.
Mum!
Oh, God, Mum.
Where's the kids?
Where are my kids?!
Blue Volvo.
Girls! Oh, my God!
Mum!
Come here.
Oh...
No, the kids are fine but they've
taken them in to check them over,
so you need to pick them up, OK?
Where are they taking them? The
children's, and they're starving,
so you're going to need to feed them.
They're taking me mam to the Royal,
so I'm just following them now.
Can you phone our Claire and just
tell her what's happened, please?
What?
Can't you?
Yeah, I could, but I'm driving,
you selfish bastard.
[SIREN WAILS]
[PHONE RINGS]
I'm really stressing.
Do you think I've lost weight?
A bit, yeah.
I wanted to lose a stone
but failed abysmally,
so I'm making sure
I get fat bridesmaids. Oh, really?
This is a message for Claire.
But my dad's being awkward.
Sorry, do you mind if I get that?
Jenny's on the way to the hospital.
I have to pick up the kids. Hello?
Yeah, it's me.
Your mum, she's been in a car crash.
Is it bad? Yeah. Which hospital?
The Royal. Jenny's gone with her.
I'll be there as soon as I can.
Thanks.
I'm... I'm sorry, I've got to go.
My mum's crashed her car.
Mum?
Mum?
Are you OK?
[SHE MOANS SOFTLY]
No...
Isn't there some rule, some limit
as to how long we can wait?
Four hours? A target, sir.
I'm well over that.
I know what's going on here.
I'm over the limit, I'm already
a blot on your statistics,
so you might as well keep me
waiting... Excuse me.
It will have no effect on your
numbers... Nothing of the sort, sir.
I promise you... Excuse me...
No, excuse me, please, love!
Now, what's going on? If you just
take a seat,
we'll be with you as soon as we can.
Take a seat. Always, take a seat.
Sorry about that. It's OK.
I'm looking for Mary Taylor.
She's my mum.
She had a car crash.
She was brought in earlier.
Hiya, Mum.
Mum?
George?
It's Claire, Mum.
She doesn't know me either.
What's she doing here?
We're just waiting for a scan,
but there's loads in front of us.
George?
Dad's dead, Mum.
TEARFULLY: I wanted flowers to wake
up the candle drums.
Well, we can get you some flowers, Mum.
How long have you been here?
Two hours.
I wanted flowers to wake
up the candle drums.
Oh, for God's sake!
No, Claire, don't piss them off.
I wanted flowers to wake
up the candle drums.
Come on, it's all right.
Oh, shit.
Hiya, mate.
I'm so sorry, but I've got no money.
My kids were in a crash.
I was on the phone to them
when it happened and I just ran out
the house with nothing.
I'm so sorry.
Then you can't get out, love.
Well, what am I supposed to do?
I won't be long.
Do you want to come in? No.
Kids, your mum's here!
What did you give them?
Cheesy chips. Jesus.
What? Nothing.
How is she?
Not good.
If there's anything I can...
Money-wise?
Look, I came out without my keys.
The house.
Oh, well, I'll get mine.
Kids.
Bye, Cheryl. Bye, Cheryl.
Mum!
Hi. Hi, darling.
Mum!
Bye, Dad. All right, girls. Come on.
Go wait in the taxi.
I'll race you.
Thanks. I'll post them back through
your letterbox.
Right.
Just here on the left.
Yeah, just here.
Come on, girls. Out you get.
Cheers, mate.
I won't be a sec, all right?
Thank you. Go on.
Come on, girls. Straight up to bed,
please.
Night-night. Night-night.
Love you. Love you too.
Shit.
Agh!
[CROCKERY SMASHES]
[SHE GROANS]
Take 18, please. Thank you.
Hi, Pete.
It's Jenny Northwood here.
Look, you're probably manning my till,
but I won't be in for a while,
I'm afraid.
My mum's sick, and there's
no-one to sort the kids out.
All right, girls?
Bye, Mummy. Mwah. Bye, Mummy.
Have a good day, all right?
Love you!
She's sitting up.
She's sitting up!
Mary?
Yeah.
She insisted.
Hi, Mum.
Hi, it's me.
It's Jenny.
Hotchpotch.
Hotchpotch.
Excuse me, sorry... Yes?
I don't know what she's trying to say.
Hotchpotch!
It's the toilet, isn't it, Mary?
Could you just wait at the entrance
while we...? Claire?
[DOORBELL RINGS]
[HE SIGHS]
Hi. You're not answering
your phone. It's flat.
Your landline.
There's a fault on the landline,
I think.
What is it you wanted?
I did want you to pick
the girls from school,
but I can get them now. Right.
Not tomorrow, though.
I can't.
You can't pick them
up in the afternoon? No.
Well, then, take them in the morning?
I can't do that either.
You've got to start pulling your weight,
Dave, otherwise I'm going to lose
my job. I can't, I'm sorry.
For God's sake.
She's going to start work soon.
Cheryl?
Yeah, you know, and when she does
then I'll be able to help out
a lot more.
More regular too.
What?
What?
George? Mam, Dad's dead.
So, up to this stroke,
she was living independently?
Yes. He died years ago.
Her dementia was manageable?
She doesn't have dementia.
How much do these things cost?
You mean it wasn't diagnosed?
No, I mean there was absolutely
nothing wrong with her.
She's been minding my kids,
and I wouldn't let a demented
woman to that. George... George...
It's not Dad, Mam.
Sorry. Sorry, my mum's
a bit confused.
Don't worry about it.
Why a bottle full of ice?
Mam, Mam, sit down.
George! Sit down, Mam.
No...
What type of house is it?
A terraced. Does she own it?
No. Is that a problem?
No.
Steps might be. Are there any?
Two? Three.
You bought me that.
So we could be looking at a ramp.
You're thinking of sending her home?
Well, she's been here
three weeks already.
It's difficult to see
what else we can do for her.
Can I just stop you there?
Right? My mum has had a stroke.
Yes. And she's making no sense.
She's convinced anything that moves
is her dead husband and right now,
she's trying to eat metal.
Mam, no, no, no. So there's
obviously brain-damage, yes?
Yes. So shouldn't we be
trying to fix that?
Yes, but this is
an assessment ward, Claire.
We are not staffed for rehabilitation.
Then can we go somewhere that is?
There are no places available.
And even if there were,
they are designed to get people
back on their feet, and Mary
is already walking.
Yeah, but she's no idea
where she's walking to. I know.
Look, I think we'll talk again
after the kitchen test.
What's the kitchen test?
Occupational Therapy need to know
that Mary can find her way
around the kitchen and make
herself a cup of tea.
Are you serious?
Yes.
You can sit in if you like?
Oh, I'd love to.
What am I doing, Mary, hmm?
I'm filling the kettle, aren't I?
Would you like to do it?
If you show me you can do it,
you can go home.
Would you like that?
Never mind, eh?
So...
...what do we do next?
Come on, Mam, what do you do next?
We do ask families not to prompt.
Sorry. Or intervene in any way
during these tests.
You see, our aim is to prove to Mary
that she can carry out these tasks
without any help whatsoever.
Right.
Right, now there's water in the kettle.
Mary?
We plug it in here
and we turn it on... just here.
Now, can you do that for me, Mary?
Shall I show you?
OK.
Now your turn.
Well, never mind, eh?
I'll tell you what.
How about I make one first
and then you can have a go?
So...
...what do we need?
Well, we need a tea bag and a cup.
Look over here, Mary.
There's a lovely one.
Roses.
Now, I bet you love growing roses,
don't you?
Now, here's a cup,
and here's the tea bag.
Can you help me, Mary?
Can you put the tea bag
into the cup?
No, no... No, Mam. Mam, Mam.
Mary... No, spit it out. Spit it
out, please.
Spit it out, Mam. No, no, no.
[MARY WAILS]
It's OK. It's OK.
You tried your best.
It's OK, Mary.
Home.
We're going to another hospital,
Mam, where you can get better.
Home.
Soon. Soon.
You must be Mary.
I'm Josh, Mary.
Jenny. Hi.
We'll soon have her dancing again.
Won't we, Mary, hey?
GIRLS: # Do, a deer, a female deer
# Re, a drop of golden sun... #
Just say what is, Mam.
Tell me what it is!
[GIRLS' SINGING BECOMES DISTORTED]
It's all right. It's all right.
There is one thing.
Yeah.
They've stopped saving
for their holiday.
Yeah, they won't be able to go.
That's a shame. Yeah.
May I... May I ask why?
Erm, well, I've lost my job
and tax credit.
We'll refund what you have paid.
I thought that wasn't possible?
It is in this case.
Thank you.
Stop!
Stop laughing, I had it first.
Give it back. Give it back.
I had it first.
No!
Stop...
What's happened?
Sorry, I've tried
but she's taken against me.
Sausage. You're not my friend
today, are you, Mary?
Sausage!
Do you want to wait outside?
It's all right, it's OK.
Just wait there.
On the cake again?
Yeah.
She's been having more stomach
problems, and I'm wondering,
should I go and ask
the doctor to see her again?
You be all right? Yeah. Yeah.
Hey, Mam.
Why don't you have a little seat, hey?
Hmm? Have a little sit down, hey?
There you go.
Careful.
[MARY WHIMPERS]
Have you got a pain, Mam?
Yeah? Where?
Where is it, Mam?
There you go, let's have this, look.
When the medicine kicks in,
I'll bring the girls in.
That'll be nice, won't it?
Come in.
It's OK. Grandma's Grandma
again now.
Promise.
Good girls, come on.
Give grandma a hug.
Give her your letters.
Good girls.
Letters for Grandma.
It's all right.
I folded my garden gates.
I folded my garden gates.
It's OK.
Good girls.
I folded my garden gates.
Oh.
Hiya. Hi.
I'm Amanda Jennings,
and this is Diane, Mary's social worker,
who will also be helping
you with the discharge.
Now, do you have power of attorney?
No, Mum's not fit to give it to us,
so we're going for Court of Protection.
Right. Diane, if you could go
and get the team,
and bring Mrs Taylor in, please.
You're bringing Mum in?
Yes.
Won't she get upset?
It's the patient's right to attend
and play an active part
in the discharge procedure.
Diane and I will answer any
questions that you may have
at the end of the meeting.
So, Dr O'Sullivan,
if you can bring us up to date
and then we can let you go.
Mary Taylor had an acute stroke
which has affected her vision,
right upper limb and cognitive ability.
She was referred here for
rehabilitation. Don't shine for it.
Don't shine for it.
Since arriving, she's developed
additional medical problems...
Don't shine for it! ..nausea,
vomiting and acute constipation.
She has been referred to
a consultant gastroenterologist.
She has been given antibiotics
and steroids while she waits to see him.
Once seen, she'll be followed up
after discharge as an outpatient.
There's nowhere.
Thank you, Doctor.
Could I ask why she's on a drip?
Because he's dehydrated, owing
to her difficulty swallowing.
Nowhere on my face...
Doctor's very busy today,
so can we move on to you, Hilary,
and physiotherapy?
Yeah, thank you, Doctor.
When Mary arrived, we focused on
treatment to make the muscles aware,
however since the health problems
we've been unable to carry on.
This morning, we tested Mary.
You climb into my water,
so get me out of there. When given
objects, she couldn't match them.
A sock with a sock, a picture card
with a word card.
You climb into my water,
so get me out of there.
I don't understand what
you are saying, Mam.
We still see involving Mary as an
active goal. Plunder. Plunder.
So far there's been no progress.
Fetch me a bone.
We think this is more cognitive
than physical,
and there's not much more we can do
on that front.
I have a note from Speech Therapy
saying they've have to discontinue
due to lack of cooperation.
I just...
I know how hard this is for everyone
but we are nearly there.
Nurse Brown.
Mary is often very confused...
[MARY WHIMPERS]
She is uncooperative,
at times aggressive.
She only sleeps for short periods
and is often found wandering,
disturbing other patients.
Due to falls,
her mattress is now on the floor.
[WHIMPERING INTENSIFIES]
She has assaulted three nurses
and a cleaner.
We are trying...
[MARY SCREAMS]
I've had enough of this.
I understand this is upsetting
everyone. No, it's ridiculous.
I promise you, carry on,
it'll all be over in a
matter of minutes.
I've seen enough.
Come on, we're going home, Mam.
We're going home.
Just listen to her, right?
I've got to go and get the kids.
Five minutes.
I'm not here to talk
you into anything, Jenny.
You've removed your mother from
the hospital, and that suits us all.
We can all wash our hands of her,
but there's things you should know, OK?
You've got to childproof your kitchen,
otherwise she is guaranteed to scald
herself
and very, very likely to burn
the house down.
You need a secure gate
at the top up the stairs
or you're going to find her
in a heap at the bottom.
You need handrails on
the bath and toilet,
or she's going to crack
her head open on the tiles.
And a dozen other things I could
mention, but that will do for now.
I haven't got any money.
We'll pay. It's cheaper
than keeping her in hospital.
But you can't look after a demented
mother and two kids
while there's building work
going on around you.
So, what do I do?
Put her into care.
No. Just while the builders
are in, that's all.
No! Look, I know you think
I've got a cheek,
but she's my mother too.
Hello.
Hello. You must be Mary.
Mary, I'm Helen.
Hi, I'm Jenny. Hi.
Welcome to Belle Vista, Mary.
I'm the one you come to if you've
any problems.
And I'm the one who's going to be
showing you round today, OK?
This is the lounge.
You'll probably spend most
of your time here, Mary,
most people do.
There's a concert once a week
if you're well enough.
Visitors are welcome.
Give me five minutes,
love, I won't be long.
And last but not least, your bedroom.
Thank you.
I'll leave you to it.
It's just for a bit, Mam.
It's just while I get
the house ready for you.
[PHONE RINGS]
Hi. Hiya.
How did it go?
Um...
Jenny?
TV: On the pack ice,
the polar bears are hunting seals.
Their activity attracts attention.
When a meal is found,
it's all fours to the pump
as the mother encourages
her cubs to feast.
Once down to the bone,
she frantically digs
around in the snow for scraps...
[SHE SIGHS]
[QUIZ ON TV]
[PHONE RINGS]
[PHONE VIBRATES AND RINGS]
Hello.
Hi, is that Jenny Northwood?
Yes, speaking.
This is the nursing home.
Your mother's gone missing.
Missing? Yeah. You mean
she's somewhere in the building?
Not exactly. She's nowhere in the
building.
Oh, God. I'll come in. No, it would
be better if you stay...
No, I'm coming!
Hiya. Dave? Dave, it's me.
Look, my mum has gone missing
in that bloody nursing home.
[INAUDIBLE]
I don't know, but I just need
you to come over here, OK. Why?
Because I'm going to go over there,
that's why!
Hello? Hello?
Shit, I've been drinking.
[SHE VOMITS]
Jenny, isn't it? Yeah.
The best thing you can do, Jenny,
is wait at home by the phone.
My husband's doing that,
I want to see her room, please.
We've searched her room,
she's not there.
I want to know what she's wearing.
All right. Yeah...
Come on.
[SPLASHING]
Her coat's here. Yeah.
Her dressing gown isn't.
My mother is walking around the city
in a dressing gown and nightie!
Mam!
Mam!
Mam?
[MUSIC AND CHATTER]
Cheers. Cheers.
[ANSWERING SERVICE BEEPS]
Claire, look it's me.
I'm at Mam's, she's gone missing,
and there's no sign of her here.
Can you phone me when you get this?
[TV PLAYS]
Not find her?
Police are still looking.
The place is a dump.
I mean that place, Belle Vista.
[SHE SIGHS]
Look, do you want a cup of tea?
No, I'll do it.
No, no, no. I'll do it.
Sophie...
Sophie said she saw you and Cheryl?
Yeah.
In St Margaret's Street.
She said she saw you coming
out of Mother And Child.
Yeah.
Is she pregnant?
Yeah.
When's it due?
Four months gone.
Do you know what it is?
Yeah.
Boy.
You...
I thought she was getting a job?
As soon as you got a job, you were
going to be able to cough up
some money to pay for the kids that
you left me with, yeah? Yeah.
Well, that's not going to happen
now, is it, if she's pregnant? No.
[PHONE RINGS]
[MUSIC BLARES]
Hello. Hiya. Sorry, I only just
got your message.
Have you found her? No.
The police are looking.
Have you heard from her?
The police are out searching.
Right, I'm coming up.
Don't come up, Claire. Why not?
I should be there.
I'll phone you if I hear anything,
in case they're trying to phone me.
Bye.
Look, I'm going to be looking
after Mam from now on,
so I'll get a Carer's Allowance
but you need to find some
money from somewhere.
I don't see why my kids should
suffer just because she's gone
and got herself...
I will, I will. When? As soon as.
No, no, no. The police.
How did you know to bring her here?
Two letters from two grandkids.
[MARY MOANS]
Come in. Goodnight now,
Mary. Goodnight.
[DRILL WHIRS]
It was recharging on the worktop.
I haven't moved it, and Sophie hasn't
because she's been searching high
and low for it, so that leaves you.
Where is it? I don't know.
You're lying. I'm not.
Have you brushed your teeth
this morning?
Yeah. Breathe.
Right, get up those stairs now
and clean your teeth. Ooh!
You are a ten-year-old girl,
for God's sake.
I shouldn't need to tell you when
you have to brush your teeth.
Come on, we are late.
Hurry up, come on.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I feel ashamed.
You should, come on, just do it.
Well, wet the toothbrush first.
Yeah! Sophie? Sophie? What?
Just keep an eye on Grandma
and tell me if she gets off that
chair, all right? Yeah.
You don't put toothpaste on a dry
brush, for God's sake.
What good will that do?
Won't be a minute, Mam.
Love you. Love you too. Bye, Mummy.
Bye.
[SHE MOANS, CAR DOOR RATTLES]
[CAR ALARM BEEPS]
Mam, sorry, sorry, sorry.
It's OK. Sorry.
I won't do that again, I promise.
Come on, come on.
[SHE MOANS]
Mam, come on.
Can I help?
No! Thanks.
Come on.
Come on, please.
That's it. You're all right.
Can I talk to you?
Please?
Careful, Mam.
[DRILLING UPSTAIRS]
Do you want a tea?
Yes, please.
How do you take it?
White, no sugar.
They said you wouldn't be long,
so I waited.
Chocolate, Mam?
Keeps you out of mischief,
doesn't it, chocolate?
Excuse me.
Nick, I'm making tea if you want one.
Yes, please.
I never should have started that,
but I did, and now I'm making tea
even if I don't want one,
just in case he does.
Bit of a pushover like that, I guess.
How did she get out?
I don't know.
There was a woman standing
in a pool of her own urine.
Yes.
How long had she been like that?
I don't know that either.
She was in a pool of urine because
we'd run out of incontinence pads.
We always do.
We get the cheaper ones,
the less absorbent ones,
but even them we can barely afford.
There were three of us on last night.
30 residents, some with severe dementia,
and just three staff.
I've known just one of those
residents need the three of us
to sort her out, which meant 29
people wandering around,
unsupervised.
Nevertheless, just the three of us.
Can't blame the boss either, the owner.
Our place makes him 20 grand a year.
Put an extra member of staff on
and that 20 grand has gone and the
place closes down.
Everyone knows this...
...local authority, the NHS, CQC.
They know the standard
of care in places like ours
isn't good enough.
But better substandard care
than no care at all.
So everybody keeps shtum.
Meanwhile, people like us -
me, Rachel, Roz,
the three who were on last night -
totally dedicated.
As caring and compassionate
as anyone could be.
We battle on.
Look at the beautiful
bracelet, isn't it?
I've not got a chair.
Look, if you get lost again,
they'll see the address on here
and they'll bring you back home.
I've not got a chair.
Mam, I worry about you, but if
you have this on
I will worry a little bit less.
I've not got a chair.
I don't know what you are saying,
Mam. Hiya. Hi.
Hiya.
Erm, I've finished.
Right.
Thanks for all the tea.
You're welcome.
Erm, if anything goes wrong, at all,
my number is on there.
Great.
Thanks.
I was wondering...
...if you fancied going for a drink
some time?
I... I couldn't.
Why not?
My mam.
Couldn't your sister...?
No, she couldn't cope.
You have to.
Yeah, well, our Claire couldn't,
I'm sorry.
I'm made up to be asked, but no.
I really couldn't.
OK.
Bye.
Bye, Mary.
Oh, shit.
Lauren, are you sure you haven't had
them? No. Sophie? No.
Mam, are you sure you've not seen
the keys?
Look, they're not where they usually are
and the kids haven't had them
and neither have I,
so you must have them.
I need to check your pockets.
Can I just have a look
in your pocket, please?
Mum, we're late, I need...
For God's sake, Mam.
You mustn't touch these
ever again, all right?
Come on, kids. We're late.
Got your bags?
Quick, quick, quick.
Got your bags?
Good girl.
Bye, Mum.
Bye, darling. Love you.
Oh, God.
Mum, no.
Mum, come on. Come on!
Get back in the car, please.
No, no. Come on.
No, no. Ow!
It's OK, it's OK. Sh, it's OK,
it's OK.
It's OK. Get back in the car.
There we go.
It's OK, it's OK.
Mum.
OK, stay in there. Fine by me.
I promise you.
[CAR DOOR SLAMS]
Careful.
Don't touch these again, Mam, OK?
Please.
Do you want a cup of tea?
Thank you.
Hiya, kids.
Hi! Hi, Mam.
Claire is going to look
after you for a while,
while we go out, OK?
It's just for a bit, OK?
Kids, come on, let's go.
Are you taking the girls? Yeah.
Where? Dave's. Come on.
Bye, Grandma! Bye, Grandma!
In you get.
Anything in to drink? No.
Watch the road, please.
Careful.
Be good, OK?
Hey, hello. Hi, Dad.
Bye, Mum, love you.
Bye, love you too.
What's with the bags?
They've got school tomorrow.
What? They are sleeping over? Yeah.
You didn't say that.
Yeah, I did. No, you didn't.
You said you were going
for a drink with a mate.
Well, I am.
And I'll be late.
I'm not going to be dragging them
home at all hours of the night
when they've got school in the morning.
You look good.
Thank you.
It's a male friend, I take it?
Yeah, Dave, it is.
And you know what?
He's going to fuck my brains out
all night.
There we are. One wine and soda. Ta.
Slainte.
So have you got any
brothers and sisters?
Aye, six.
Six?
It was the quick and the thin in our
house, I'm telling you.
My mum, right, used to do a Sunday tea,
you know, butties and sausage rolls
and cakes and all that stuff.
And my brother, Tam,
he'd go like this...
He would pick up a load
of stuff in his right hand
and then he'd stash it
under the table in his left hand.
And he would keep eating
with the right hand.
And when everything was gone
and the table was empty,
he would just resort
to what was in his left hand.
Greedy bastard.
Twice the size of me.
Still is.
What about you?
It's just me and our Claire.
And she's got no kids.
Is that out of choice?
Um, I don't know.
I don't know, we don't really go there.
I knew there was something wrong.
I didn't know he was carrying on,
but I knew something wasn't right.
So I said, "Why don't
we try for a boy?"
Thinking that would sort it.
But that's what he'd always wanted,
you see, deep down.
Anyway, he just said, "No, I'm
happy with just the girls
"and nothing was wrong."
But now she's pregnant.
This other woman is pregnant,
and, of course, it's a boy.
So, yeah, that hurts a bit.
Anyway...
Why, thank you.
Goodnight. Evening.
Madison Street first, please, mate.
Off Chambers, yeah.
And then I'm going on
to Wardsworth Street, thanks.
In your own time, mate.
Do you want to come back for a coffee?
What about your mum?
She'll be asleep.
Your sister?
She'll give you the once
over and then leave.
Eyes wide if she approves and mouth
like this if she doesn't.
I tell you what, mate,
we're both getting off at Madison.
Just up here on the right.
Oh, my God, what's happened?
Oh, God.
Are you Jenny Northwood? Yeah.
And this lady? Yeah, it's my mam.
What's happened?
Hiya. How's things?
Fine.
Yeah, how's Mam?
Fine, everything is fine.
You just go and enjoy yourself.
I'm at home, Claire, with Mam.
I'm sorry, Jenny, I'm really sorry.
They wouldn't even know
what to do with her,
only she was wearing
the bracelet that I got her.
I said, "How lucky was that?"
Sorry. It's OK.
I had to go to Jenny's last night and...
...I didn't get back until late,
I'm really sorry.
It's OK, it's fine.
Claire, love, I have been
meaning to ask you this, anyway.
Do you need some time
off to be with your mum a bit more?
What? I can sort that for you
if you want.
No, I'm fine, thanks.
Are you sure?
Positive.
[MUSIC ACCELERATES]
Mam!
Mam!
Mam!
[SIREN WAILS]
Daddy!
Hey, you all right?
How is she?
No news yet.
I wondered whose it was. What?
The broomstick outside.
Oh, have they eaten?
No, and no cheesy chips again, please.
What about a fish supper?
Yeah!
You can afford that, can you?
Just about, yeah.
Right, come on, girls.
Let's leave Auntie Claire
to her cackling.
This way.
Bye, girls. BOTH: Bye, Mummy!
Now, you have already got a care
package settled for Mary
and they will keep that open
for as long as they possibly can.
Sadly, the longer she stays here,
the more her care package is threatened,
so it is in all of our best
interests to get Mary home again
as soon as possible.
Now, the scan does show...
Sorry, you're hurdling ahead here.
Am I? Yes.
We've not seen our mother yet,
nor any doctor who treated her,
nor any nurse who cared for her,
but you're already throwing her out.
I'm throwing nobody out, I assure you.
What is your title again?
Claire.
Discharge liaison officer.
It used to be you'd come into hospital
and leave when you got better.
You can't do that any more.
Not enough beds, not enough money.
So you are here doing a job
that shouldn't even exist.
I'm here to help this unit run
as efficiently as possible.
Would you like to see your mother now?
It doesn't help, you know?
Having a go at them.
What, do you think if we were nice
to her, she would be nice to Mum?
No, she sees niceness as weakness.
Hi, hiya.
Ow! Stop! Stop!
Stop! Sh, sh.
[MARY WAILS]
Has she hit you before?
Well...
I was struggling with
her in the car once,
she caught me on the nose.
But I think that was an accident.
That is the first time
she's done it and meant it.
Why do you think she did it?
Because she's back in the hospital,
she hates it there.
We'll find her somewhere else.
We did.
She went missing five minutes later.
You're thinking of bringing her
back here, aren't you?
[PHONE RINGS]
ANSWERING MACHINE: Hi, sorry I'm not
at home,
leave a message and I'll get
back to you.
Um, about that coffee...
I wondered if we could, you know,
maybe try again some time?
Coffee?
Look, you tried having her back
here and you failed.
But you got a lucky break.
A lucky break? Yes.
I'm sorry to be brutal,
but, yes, a lucky break.
And she's back in there now
and she is their responsibility
and not yours.
They will do it so much
better than you ever will,
because that's what
they are trained for.
Tell me you won't bring her back here.
Why do you want to do it, anyway?
Half the time she doesn't
even recognise you.
You're doing it because she's your
mother
and you've got to be seen to
be looking after your mother.
It's out of guilt and fear
of what the neighbours will say.
Her life's over, Jenny,
don't let her ruin yours.
Do you know what?
I do feel guilty, yeah.
But what about you, Claire?
Better to lock me mother
up in a home than see me sister
running around like a blue-arsed
fly making me feel so guilty
cos I do fuck all.
[MOBILE RINGS]
Hi.
Say something.
I'm sorry.
Do you know the best thing a mother
can do for her children?
Die.
You are so wrong.
[RINGING TONE]
Oh, thank you. There we are.
Oh, look, please say you'll have her.
I don't know how long
she's got left, you know,
and I just don't want to spend it
being worried sick about her,
I just want her to be comfortable.
Well, we've got what she needs.
Round-the-clock nursing care,
doctor on duty
or on call 24 hours a day,
and a good staff to patient ratio.
Of course we'll have her.
Thank you.
But it is 700 a week.
You'd have to fund that from
the sale of your mother's house.
She doesn't own her house, you see.
Well, it's a council house
and she wouldn't pay it on principle.
Does she have any other assets?
No.
Then the council would
put 400 towards it.
And the rest?
Well, you'd have to find that.
I wish you hadn't shown me around now.
You've tried for NHS
Continuing Healthcare?
What?
[MOBILE RINGS]
Hiya, Jen.
What?
And we can do that?
Hello, I'm Rebecca Compton,
I'm head of the stroke unit here.
You are?
Jenny. And you must be Claire.
Yes. Sorry it's taken
until now to meet,
but I have been on secondment.
You know Amanda?
Yes, we've had the pleasure.
Right, how's it going?
Well, we've seen two nursing
homes that are suitable
and two that aren't.
And the two that are, we can't afford.
People do find that they need
to lower their sights a bit.
We have done.
Often it's just appearances.
The standard of care no different.
Take Belle Vista, for instance.
It looks a bit basic, but it is good.
We've put my mum in Belle Vista.
They lost her the same day.
Well, we're not trying to put
you under any pressure whatsoever,
but we could do with that bed,
of course.
We understand that.
Can I read you something?
Of course.
"When your need for care
is primarily due to your need
"for health care,
"you may be eligible for NHS
Continuing Healthcare.
"A complete package of ongoing care
arranged and funded by the NHS
"to meet physical or mental health
needs that have arisen
"because of disability,
accident or illness."
Why didn't you mention this?
I thought we did.
You didn't.
Well, we did assess her informally
and she didn't qualify, so...
Well, can you do it formally, please?
Well, that would be a waste
of time, I'm afraid.
We would do that only if you insist.
Oh, we insist.
OK.
But don't build your hopes up.
Please, don't do that.
Auntie Claire! Auntie Claire!
Hiya!
Claire with eclairs!
Hey! Not for you!
Hands off! Your mum.
Is, um, Nick still on the scene?
This came this morning.
Mum's assessment.
It's been rejected.
Is he married?
What do we do?
We appeal.
Is he married?
No.
Good.
Don't attack them.
Do you want to do it?
If you'd like to take a seat?
Good morning.
My name is James Simpson
and I will be chairing
this independent review panel
scrutiny of the rejection
of Mary Taylor's application for
NHS Continuing Healthcare.
Could we all please introduce ourselves?
Angela Bellman, geriatric nurse.
David Tully, psychiatric nurse.
Shirley Woodford, social
services administrator.
Jenny Northwood, Mary's daughter.
Claire Taylor, Mary's daughter.
We were expecting someone
from the hospital,
but as it is well past ten o'clock,
we'll make a start without them.
I apologise that you have
been kept waiting.
Hi, I'm so sorry,
I was held up on the ward.
If you would like to give
us your name, take a seat,
we'll carry on.
Yeah. Amanda Jennings,
discharge liaison officer,
standing in for Rebecca Compton,
head of the stroke unit.
First, I'd like to invite
members of the panel to ask you both
any questions they may have.
Is that all right with you?
Can you tell us a bit
about your mother before the stroke?
She was very independent.
She's lived on her own since Dad died.
She did everything for herself.
Did she have mobility problems? No.
Her knee sometimes, but...
And did she have any hobbies?
Politics, in general.
Labour Party in particular.
Liked the telly.
Wildlife shows, bit of drama, Newsnight.
And her personality?
Self-contained, very proud,
very principled.
And directly after the stroke,
did her personality change?
Yes.
She became noisy, uninhibited, angry.
She kept seeing my father
in every man on the ward.
And how is her behaviour now?
Even worse.
Jenny's called in nearly
every day to feed and medicate her,
because the staff can't cope.
She is violent and lashes out at them,
out of terror, I think.
Or pain.
Can I...?
Why all this?
I'll tell you why.
Money.
There's nearly a million
old people with dementia
and to give them the treatment
they need costs serious money.
And why spend serious money on the old?
Hence all this.
Hence you, Amanda, barring the gates,
playing God with people's lives.
Well, that's fine.
But you are not going to do it
with my mother's.
[SHE SOBS]
I'm sorry, just give me...
I'm sorry, Jenny. I'm sorry.
There's a report in front of you.
I think you will remember, Amanda,
that we went to the Court of Protection
cos Mum wasn't capable
of granting us power of attorney.
Yeah.
To do that, you need
a consultant report,
so I'd like to read
that to you, if I may.
"Mrs Taylor has suffered a major
stroke and has developed
"severe cognitive impairment.
"She has expressive and receptive
dysphasia
"and cannot retain information.
"She is confused
and fails to understand.
"It is extremely difficult
to communicate with her.
"She was found wandering the ward,
agitated and occasionally
"very aggressive.
"Mrs..." Sorry.
"Mrs Taylor has significant
mental health issues
"and has lost
the ability to make decisions.
"There has been no evidence
of any improvement.
"It is likely that these adverse
effects will be long-term.
"She needs supervision and 24-hour
care from qualified nursing staff
"for her medication and other
daily activities."
He seems to think she's seriously ill.
You seem to think she's fine.
Why such a difference?
There's another form in front of you.
This is the questionnaire
that my mother supposedly filled in.
This is the document
that I think cost my mother
her continuing health care.
"Do you feel happy?"
Answer A, all of the time,
B, most of the time,
C, rarely, D, never.
My mother has answered,
B, most of the time.
And there's lots of other
questions on there,
as you can see, that my mother's
answered A's and B's for,
nothing critical whatsoever.
So this woman who the
consultant described as
"unable to understand
and difficult to communicate with"
has answered every single answer
on this form.
Are you saying someone else
filled it in?
Yeah, I am.
I mean, if you gave my mother
a form, she'd eat it.
Miss Jennings?
I can't explain it, I'm afraid.
Anything else?
Yeah.
My mum has been in hospital
just twice before.
When she had me and when she had Claire.
Apart from that, she has not
cost the NHS a penny,
yet she's contributed to it
her whole working life.
Well, now she's sick.
She needs 24-hour nursing care.
She needs a doctor, a counsellor,
a gastroenterologist,
a physiotherapist,
my mother deserves these things.
She deserves a place
that meets her needs.
Anything else?
Miss Jennings?
In that case, can I ask you both
to step outside for five minutes
whilst we have a quick chat?
Thank you.
Hi. Hi.
Thanks.
A disadvantage. Yeah.
I'm sorry.
Can I say something?
I'd like to give you all a break,
treat dementia with the seriousness
it deserves in hospitals like mine.
But do you know what that means?
A nurse being called away
from a young person fighting for life,
because an old woman
in the next room has shit herself.
Please come in.
Thank you for your patience.
A committee must decide only
on the evidence before us.
However, we are in agreement
that this assessment does not
accurately reflect the state
of Mary's health
and we are therefore ordering a
new assessment to be carried out
as soon as possible.
This will take a while.
But I can tell you now that we are
minded to allow your appeal.
So you should go ahead and look
for a nursing home
that can cater for Mary's needs.
And if, as I believe,
you have already found one,
perhaps you should start
talking seriously to them.
You will receive a letter confirming
this over the next couple of weeks.
Thank you. Thank you for
your time, good to meet you.
There you go. That's it.
We're thinking of adopting.
I've been on the IVF
for a while now and...
...so, we're trying something else.
Hello, Mary.
Welcome to Marshal House.
#Sub Prepare by CLHC#
This programme contains
some strong language.
ALL: ..Five, six, pick up sticks.
Seven, eight, run to the gate.
Nine, ten, a big fat hen!
[THEY ALL LAUGH]
In you get. Come on, let's go.
Who wants fish and chips?
CHILDREN: Me!
OK, so it's fish and chips for four,
and are you going to have
mushy peas or not? No. No.
Eh? You've got to have mushy peas.
No...
Fish and chips aren't fish and chips
without mushy peas.
1.60 chips, 2.80 fish.
How much together?
4.40? Correct.
So, fish and chips for four,
Sophie, please?
I don't know.
Looking forward to eating them?
Yes. Then I strongly advise you to
attempt an answer,
since not to do so could result
in a crushing disappointment.
17.60. Thank you.
[PHONE RINGS]
Hiya, Mum.
Oh, we'll be there in five minutes.
Warm the plates. Why?
We've got fish and chips.
I told them no burgers and no chips.
It was my idea.
No, it wasn't. It was Sophie's idea,
because she can twist you round
her bloody little finger.
Aw, they've been good.
Well, I don't care.
They've had chips twice
this week already.
They're going to start
looking like bloody chips.
Put her on a sec. You've got me
into trouble. Sorry.
Hi, Mum.
What did I tell you?
Grandma wanted them.
No, she didn't.
Honest, Mum, she did.
We wanted pizza.
CONVERSATION FADES: I told her
you'd go mad. We wanted pizza, Mum!
[CAR HORN BLARES]
Grandma? Grandma!
Gran! Grandma!
Sophie, what's wrong?
[GIRLS SCREAM]
Grandma! Come on, wake up.
We're going to crash.
[CLATTERING]
Hello? Sophie?
Sophie?
Sophie!
Hello? Hello?
Hello!
Can anybody hear me? Please
pick the phone up. Hello?
Mum!
Excuse me. Sorry.
Mum!
Oh, God, Mum.
Where's the kids?
Where are my kids?!
Blue Volvo.
Girls! Oh, my God!
Mum!
Come here.
Oh...
No, the kids are fine but they've
taken them in to check them over,
so you need to pick them up, OK?
Where are they taking them? The
children's, and they're starving,
so you're going to need to feed them.
They're taking me mam to the Royal,
so I'm just following them now.
Can you phone our Claire and just
tell her what's happened, please?
What?
Can't you?
Yeah, I could, but I'm driving,
you selfish bastard.
[SIREN WAILS]
[PHONE RINGS]
I'm really stressing.
Do you think I've lost weight?
A bit, yeah.
I wanted to lose a stone
but failed abysmally,
so I'm making sure
I get fat bridesmaids. Oh, really?
This is a message for Claire.
But my dad's being awkward.
Sorry, do you mind if I get that?
Jenny's on the way to the hospital.
I have to pick up the kids. Hello?
Yeah, it's me.
Your mum, she's been in a car crash.
Is it bad? Yeah. Which hospital?
The Royal. Jenny's gone with her.
I'll be there as soon as I can.
Thanks.
I'm... I'm sorry, I've got to go.
My mum's crashed her car.
Mum?
Mum?
Are you OK?
[SHE MOANS SOFTLY]
No...
Isn't there some rule, some limit
as to how long we can wait?
Four hours? A target, sir.
I'm well over that.
I know what's going on here.
I'm over the limit, I'm already
a blot on your statistics,
so you might as well keep me
waiting... Excuse me.
It will have no effect on your
numbers... Nothing of the sort, sir.
I promise you... Excuse me...
No, excuse me, please, love!
Now, what's going on? If you just
take a seat,
we'll be with you as soon as we can.
Take a seat. Always, take a seat.
Sorry about that. It's OK.
I'm looking for Mary Taylor.
She's my mum.
She had a car crash.
She was brought in earlier.
Hiya, Mum.
Mum?
George?
It's Claire, Mum.
She doesn't know me either.
What's she doing here?
We're just waiting for a scan,
but there's loads in front of us.
George?
Dad's dead, Mum.
TEARFULLY: I wanted flowers to wake
up the candle drums.
Well, we can get you some flowers, Mum.
How long have you been here?
Two hours.
I wanted flowers to wake
up the candle drums.
Oh, for God's sake!
No, Claire, don't piss them off.
I wanted flowers to wake
up the candle drums.
Come on, it's all right.
Oh, shit.
Hiya, mate.
I'm so sorry, but I've got no money.
My kids were in a crash.
I was on the phone to them
when it happened and I just ran out
the house with nothing.
I'm so sorry.
Then you can't get out, love.
Well, what am I supposed to do?
I won't be long.
Do you want to come in? No.
Kids, your mum's here!
What did you give them?
Cheesy chips. Jesus.
What? Nothing.
How is she?
Not good.
If there's anything I can...
Money-wise?
Look, I came out without my keys.
The house.
Oh, well, I'll get mine.
Kids.
Bye, Cheryl. Bye, Cheryl.
Mum!
Hi. Hi, darling.
Mum!
Bye, Dad. All right, girls. Come on.
Go wait in the taxi.
I'll race you.
Thanks. I'll post them back through
your letterbox.
Right.
Just here on the left.
Yeah, just here.
Come on, girls. Out you get.
Cheers, mate.
I won't be a sec, all right?
Thank you. Go on.
Come on, girls. Straight up to bed,
please.
Night-night. Night-night.
Love you. Love you too.
Shit.
Agh!
[CROCKERY SMASHES]
[SHE GROANS]
Take 18, please. Thank you.
Hi, Pete.
It's Jenny Northwood here.
Look, you're probably manning my till,
but I won't be in for a while,
I'm afraid.
My mum's sick, and there's
no-one to sort the kids out.
All right, girls?
Bye, Mummy. Mwah. Bye, Mummy.
Have a good day, all right?
Love you!
She's sitting up.
She's sitting up!
Mary?
Yeah.
She insisted.
Hi, Mum.
Hi, it's me.
It's Jenny.
Hotchpotch.
Hotchpotch.
Excuse me, sorry... Yes?
I don't know what she's trying to say.
Hotchpotch!
It's the toilet, isn't it, Mary?
Could you just wait at the entrance
while we...? Claire?
[DOORBELL RINGS]
[HE SIGHS]
Hi. You're not answering
your phone. It's flat.
Your landline.
There's a fault on the landline,
I think.
What is it you wanted?
I did want you to pick
the girls from school,
but I can get them now. Right.
Not tomorrow, though.
I can't.
You can't pick them
up in the afternoon? No.
Well, then, take them in the morning?
I can't do that either.
You've got to start pulling your weight,
Dave, otherwise I'm going to lose
my job. I can't, I'm sorry.
For God's sake.
She's going to start work soon.
Cheryl?
Yeah, you know, and when she does
then I'll be able to help out
a lot more.
More regular too.
What?
What?
George? Mam, Dad's dead.
So, up to this stroke,
she was living independently?
Yes. He died years ago.
Her dementia was manageable?
She doesn't have dementia.
How much do these things cost?
You mean it wasn't diagnosed?
No, I mean there was absolutely
nothing wrong with her.
She's been minding my kids,
and I wouldn't let a demented
woman to that. George... George...
It's not Dad, Mam.
Sorry. Sorry, my mum's
a bit confused.
Don't worry about it.
Why a bottle full of ice?
Mam, Mam, sit down.
George! Sit down, Mam.
No...
What type of house is it?
A terraced. Does she own it?
No. Is that a problem?
No.
Steps might be. Are there any?
Two? Three.
You bought me that.
So we could be looking at a ramp.
You're thinking of sending her home?
Well, she's been here
three weeks already.
It's difficult to see
what else we can do for her.
Can I just stop you there?
Right? My mum has had a stroke.
Yes. And she's making no sense.
She's convinced anything that moves
is her dead husband and right now,
she's trying to eat metal.
Mam, no, no, no. So there's
obviously brain-damage, yes?
Yes. So shouldn't we be
trying to fix that?
Yes, but this is
an assessment ward, Claire.
We are not staffed for rehabilitation.
Then can we go somewhere that is?
There are no places available.
And even if there were,
they are designed to get people
back on their feet, and Mary
is already walking.
Yeah, but she's no idea
where she's walking to. I know.
Look, I think we'll talk again
after the kitchen test.
What's the kitchen test?
Occupational Therapy need to know
that Mary can find her way
around the kitchen and make
herself a cup of tea.
Are you serious?
Yes.
You can sit in if you like?
Oh, I'd love to.
What am I doing, Mary, hmm?
I'm filling the kettle, aren't I?
Would you like to do it?
If you show me you can do it,
you can go home.
Would you like that?
Never mind, eh?
So...
...what do we do next?
Come on, Mam, what do you do next?
We do ask families not to prompt.
Sorry. Or intervene in any way
during these tests.
You see, our aim is to prove to Mary
that she can carry out these tasks
without any help whatsoever.
Right.
Right, now there's water in the kettle.
Mary?
We plug it in here
and we turn it on... just here.
Now, can you do that for me, Mary?
Shall I show you?
OK.
Now your turn.
Well, never mind, eh?
I'll tell you what.
How about I make one first
and then you can have a go?
So...
...what do we need?
Well, we need a tea bag and a cup.
Look over here, Mary.
There's a lovely one.
Roses.
Now, I bet you love growing roses,
don't you?
Now, here's a cup,
and here's the tea bag.
Can you help me, Mary?
Can you put the tea bag
into the cup?
No, no... No, Mam. Mam, Mam.
Mary... No, spit it out. Spit it
out, please.
Spit it out, Mam. No, no, no.
[MARY WAILS]
It's OK. It's OK.
You tried your best.
It's OK, Mary.
Home.
We're going to another hospital,
Mam, where you can get better.
Home.
Soon. Soon.
You must be Mary.
I'm Josh, Mary.
Jenny. Hi.
We'll soon have her dancing again.
Won't we, Mary, hey?
GIRLS: # Do, a deer, a female deer
# Re, a drop of golden sun... #
Just say what is, Mam.
Tell me what it is!
[GIRLS' SINGING BECOMES DISTORTED]
It's all right. It's all right.
There is one thing.
Yeah.
They've stopped saving
for their holiday.
Yeah, they won't be able to go.
That's a shame. Yeah.
May I... May I ask why?
Erm, well, I've lost my job
and tax credit.
We'll refund what you have paid.
I thought that wasn't possible?
It is in this case.
Thank you.
Stop!
Stop laughing, I had it first.
Give it back. Give it back.
I had it first.
No!
Stop...
What's happened?
Sorry, I've tried
but she's taken against me.
Sausage. You're not my friend
today, are you, Mary?
Sausage!
Do you want to wait outside?
It's all right, it's OK.
Just wait there.
On the cake again?
Yeah.
She's been having more stomach
problems, and I'm wondering,
should I go and ask
the doctor to see her again?
You be all right? Yeah. Yeah.
Hey, Mam.
Why don't you have a little seat, hey?
Hmm? Have a little sit down, hey?
There you go.
Careful.
[MARY WHIMPERS]
Have you got a pain, Mam?
Yeah? Where?
Where is it, Mam?
There you go, let's have this, look.
When the medicine kicks in,
I'll bring the girls in.
That'll be nice, won't it?
Come in.
It's OK. Grandma's Grandma
again now.
Promise.
Good girls, come on.
Give grandma a hug.
Give her your letters.
Good girls.
Letters for Grandma.
It's all right.
I folded my garden gates.
I folded my garden gates.
It's OK.
Good girls.
I folded my garden gates.
Oh.
Hiya. Hi.
I'm Amanda Jennings,
and this is Diane, Mary's social worker,
who will also be helping
you with the discharge.
Now, do you have power of attorney?
No, Mum's not fit to give it to us,
so we're going for Court of Protection.
Right. Diane, if you could go
and get the team,
and bring Mrs Taylor in, please.
You're bringing Mum in?
Yes.
Won't she get upset?
It's the patient's right to attend
and play an active part
in the discharge procedure.
Diane and I will answer any
questions that you may have
at the end of the meeting.
So, Dr O'Sullivan,
if you can bring us up to date
and then we can let you go.
Mary Taylor had an acute stroke
which has affected her vision,
right upper limb and cognitive ability.
She was referred here for
rehabilitation. Don't shine for it.
Don't shine for it.
Since arriving, she's developed
additional medical problems...
Don't shine for it! ..nausea,
vomiting and acute constipation.
She has been referred to
a consultant gastroenterologist.
She has been given antibiotics
and steroids while she waits to see him.
Once seen, she'll be followed up
after discharge as an outpatient.
There's nowhere.
Thank you, Doctor.
Could I ask why she's on a drip?
Because he's dehydrated, owing
to her difficulty swallowing.
Nowhere on my face...
Doctor's very busy today,
so can we move on to you, Hilary,
and physiotherapy?
Yeah, thank you, Doctor.
When Mary arrived, we focused on
treatment to make the muscles aware,
however since the health problems
we've been unable to carry on.
This morning, we tested Mary.
You climb into my water,
so get me out of there. When given
objects, she couldn't match them.
A sock with a sock, a picture card
with a word card.
You climb into my water,
so get me out of there.
I don't understand what
you are saying, Mam.
We still see involving Mary as an
active goal. Plunder. Plunder.
So far there's been no progress.
Fetch me a bone.
We think this is more cognitive
than physical,
and there's not much more we can do
on that front.
I have a note from Speech Therapy
saying they've have to discontinue
due to lack of cooperation.
I just...
I know how hard this is for everyone
but we are nearly there.
Nurse Brown.
Mary is often very confused...
[MARY WHIMPERS]
She is uncooperative,
at times aggressive.
She only sleeps for short periods
and is often found wandering,
disturbing other patients.
Due to falls,
her mattress is now on the floor.
[WHIMPERING INTENSIFIES]
She has assaulted three nurses
and a cleaner.
We are trying...
[MARY SCREAMS]
I've had enough of this.
I understand this is upsetting
everyone. No, it's ridiculous.
I promise you, carry on,
it'll all be over in a
matter of minutes.
I've seen enough.
Come on, we're going home, Mam.
We're going home.
Just listen to her, right?
I've got to go and get the kids.
Five minutes.
I'm not here to talk
you into anything, Jenny.
You've removed your mother from
the hospital, and that suits us all.
We can all wash our hands of her,
but there's things you should know, OK?
You've got to childproof your kitchen,
otherwise she is guaranteed to scald
herself
and very, very likely to burn
the house down.
You need a secure gate
at the top up the stairs
or you're going to find her
in a heap at the bottom.
You need handrails on
the bath and toilet,
or she's going to crack
her head open on the tiles.
And a dozen other things I could
mention, but that will do for now.
I haven't got any money.
We'll pay. It's cheaper
than keeping her in hospital.
But you can't look after a demented
mother and two kids
while there's building work
going on around you.
So, what do I do?
Put her into care.
No. Just while the builders
are in, that's all.
No! Look, I know you think
I've got a cheek,
but she's my mother too.
Hello.
Hello. You must be Mary.
Mary, I'm Helen.
Hi, I'm Jenny. Hi.
Welcome to Belle Vista, Mary.
I'm the one you come to if you've
any problems.
And I'm the one who's going to be
showing you round today, OK?
This is the lounge.
You'll probably spend most
of your time here, Mary,
most people do.
There's a concert once a week
if you're well enough.
Visitors are welcome.
Give me five minutes,
love, I won't be long.
And last but not least, your bedroom.
Thank you.
I'll leave you to it.
It's just for a bit, Mam.
It's just while I get
the house ready for you.
[PHONE RINGS]
Hi. Hiya.
How did it go?
Um...
Jenny?
TV: On the pack ice,
the polar bears are hunting seals.
Their activity attracts attention.
When a meal is found,
it's all fours to the pump
as the mother encourages
her cubs to feast.
Once down to the bone,
she frantically digs
around in the snow for scraps...
[SHE SIGHS]
[QUIZ ON TV]
[PHONE RINGS]
[PHONE VIBRATES AND RINGS]
Hello.
Hi, is that Jenny Northwood?
Yes, speaking.
This is the nursing home.
Your mother's gone missing.
Missing? Yeah. You mean
she's somewhere in the building?
Not exactly. She's nowhere in the
building.
Oh, God. I'll come in. No, it would
be better if you stay...
No, I'm coming!
Hiya. Dave? Dave, it's me.
Look, my mum has gone missing
in that bloody nursing home.
[INAUDIBLE]
I don't know, but I just need
you to come over here, OK. Why?
Because I'm going to go over there,
that's why!
Hello? Hello?
Shit, I've been drinking.
[SHE VOMITS]
Jenny, isn't it? Yeah.
The best thing you can do, Jenny,
is wait at home by the phone.
My husband's doing that,
I want to see her room, please.
We've searched her room,
she's not there.
I want to know what she's wearing.
All right. Yeah...
Come on.
[SPLASHING]
Her coat's here. Yeah.
Her dressing gown isn't.
My mother is walking around the city
in a dressing gown and nightie!
Mam!
Mam!
Mam?
[MUSIC AND CHATTER]
Cheers. Cheers.
[ANSWERING SERVICE BEEPS]
Claire, look it's me.
I'm at Mam's, she's gone missing,
and there's no sign of her here.
Can you phone me when you get this?
[TV PLAYS]
Not find her?
Police are still looking.
The place is a dump.
I mean that place, Belle Vista.
[SHE SIGHS]
Look, do you want a cup of tea?
No, I'll do it.
No, no, no. I'll do it.
Sophie...
Sophie said she saw you and Cheryl?
Yeah.
In St Margaret's Street.
She said she saw you coming
out of Mother And Child.
Yeah.
Is she pregnant?
Yeah.
When's it due?
Four months gone.
Do you know what it is?
Yeah.
Boy.
You...
I thought she was getting a job?
As soon as you got a job, you were
going to be able to cough up
some money to pay for the kids that
you left me with, yeah? Yeah.
Well, that's not going to happen
now, is it, if she's pregnant? No.
[PHONE RINGS]
[MUSIC BLARES]
Hello. Hiya. Sorry, I only just
got your message.
Have you found her? No.
The police are looking.
Have you heard from her?
The police are out searching.
Right, I'm coming up.
Don't come up, Claire. Why not?
I should be there.
I'll phone you if I hear anything,
in case they're trying to phone me.
Bye.
Look, I'm going to be looking
after Mam from now on,
so I'll get a Carer's Allowance
but you need to find some
money from somewhere.
I don't see why my kids should
suffer just because she's gone
and got herself...
I will, I will. When? As soon as.
No, no, no. The police.
How did you know to bring her here?
Two letters from two grandkids.
[MARY MOANS]
Come in. Goodnight now,
Mary. Goodnight.
[DRILL WHIRS]
It was recharging on the worktop.
I haven't moved it, and Sophie hasn't
because she's been searching high
and low for it, so that leaves you.
Where is it? I don't know.
You're lying. I'm not.
Have you brushed your teeth
this morning?
Yeah. Breathe.
Right, get up those stairs now
and clean your teeth. Ooh!
You are a ten-year-old girl,
for God's sake.
I shouldn't need to tell you when
you have to brush your teeth.
Come on, we are late.
Hurry up, come on.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I feel ashamed.
You should, come on, just do it.
Well, wet the toothbrush first.
Yeah! Sophie? Sophie? What?
Just keep an eye on Grandma
and tell me if she gets off that
chair, all right? Yeah.
You don't put toothpaste on a dry
brush, for God's sake.
What good will that do?
Won't be a minute, Mam.
Love you. Love you too. Bye, Mummy.
Bye.
[SHE MOANS, CAR DOOR RATTLES]
[CAR ALARM BEEPS]
Mam, sorry, sorry, sorry.
It's OK. Sorry.
I won't do that again, I promise.
Come on, come on.
[SHE MOANS]
Mam, come on.
Can I help?
No! Thanks.
Come on.
Come on, please.
That's it. You're all right.
Can I talk to you?
Please?
Careful, Mam.
[DRILLING UPSTAIRS]
Do you want a tea?
Yes, please.
How do you take it?
White, no sugar.
They said you wouldn't be long,
so I waited.
Chocolate, Mam?
Keeps you out of mischief,
doesn't it, chocolate?
Excuse me.
Nick, I'm making tea if you want one.
Yes, please.
I never should have started that,
but I did, and now I'm making tea
even if I don't want one,
just in case he does.
Bit of a pushover like that, I guess.
How did she get out?
I don't know.
There was a woman standing
in a pool of her own urine.
Yes.
How long had she been like that?
I don't know that either.
She was in a pool of urine because
we'd run out of incontinence pads.
We always do.
We get the cheaper ones,
the less absorbent ones,
but even them we can barely afford.
There were three of us on last night.
30 residents, some with severe dementia,
and just three staff.
I've known just one of those
residents need the three of us
to sort her out, which meant 29
people wandering around,
unsupervised.
Nevertheless, just the three of us.
Can't blame the boss either, the owner.
Our place makes him 20 grand a year.
Put an extra member of staff on
and that 20 grand has gone and the
place closes down.
Everyone knows this...
...local authority, the NHS, CQC.
They know the standard
of care in places like ours
isn't good enough.
But better substandard care
than no care at all.
So everybody keeps shtum.
Meanwhile, people like us -
me, Rachel, Roz,
the three who were on last night -
totally dedicated.
As caring and compassionate
as anyone could be.
We battle on.
Look at the beautiful
bracelet, isn't it?
I've not got a chair.
Look, if you get lost again,
they'll see the address on here
and they'll bring you back home.
I've not got a chair.
Mam, I worry about you, but if
you have this on
I will worry a little bit less.
I've not got a chair.
I don't know what you are saying,
Mam. Hiya. Hi.
Hiya.
Erm, I've finished.
Right.
Thanks for all the tea.
You're welcome.
Erm, if anything goes wrong, at all,
my number is on there.
Great.
Thanks.
I was wondering...
...if you fancied going for a drink
some time?
I... I couldn't.
Why not?
My mam.
Couldn't your sister...?
No, she couldn't cope.
You have to.
Yeah, well, our Claire couldn't,
I'm sorry.
I'm made up to be asked, but no.
I really couldn't.
OK.
Bye.
Bye, Mary.
Oh, shit.
Lauren, are you sure you haven't had
them? No. Sophie? No.
Mam, are you sure you've not seen
the keys?
Look, they're not where they usually are
and the kids haven't had them
and neither have I,
so you must have them.
I need to check your pockets.
Can I just have a look
in your pocket, please?
Mum, we're late, I need...
For God's sake, Mam.
You mustn't touch these
ever again, all right?
Come on, kids. We're late.
Got your bags?
Quick, quick, quick.
Got your bags?
Good girl.
Bye, Mum.
Bye, darling. Love you.
Oh, God.
Mum, no.
Mum, come on. Come on!
Get back in the car, please.
No, no. Come on.
No, no. Ow!
It's OK, it's OK. Sh, it's OK,
it's OK.
It's OK. Get back in the car.
There we go.
It's OK, it's OK.
Mum.
OK, stay in there. Fine by me.
I promise you.
[CAR DOOR SLAMS]
Careful.
Don't touch these again, Mam, OK?
Please.
Do you want a cup of tea?
Thank you.
Hiya, kids.
Hi! Hi, Mam.
Claire is going to look
after you for a while,
while we go out, OK?
It's just for a bit, OK?
Kids, come on, let's go.
Are you taking the girls? Yeah.
Where? Dave's. Come on.
Bye, Grandma! Bye, Grandma!
In you get.
Anything in to drink? No.
Watch the road, please.
Careful.
Be good, OK?
Hey, hello. Hi, Dad.
Bye, Mum, love you.
Bye, love you too.
What's with the bags?
They've got school tomorrow.
What? They are sleeping over? Yeah.
You didn't say that.
Yeah, I did. No, you didn't.
You said you were going
for a drink with a mate.
Well, I am.
And I'll be late.
I'm not going to be dragging them
home at all hours of the night
when they've got school in the morning.
You look good.
Thank you.
It's a male friend, I take it?
Yeah, Dave, it is.
And you know what?
He's going to fuck my brains out
all night.
There we are. One wine and soda. Ta.
Slainte.
So have you got any
brothers and sisters?
Aye, six.
Six?
It was the quick and the thin in our
house, I'm telling you.
My mum, right, used to do a Sunday tea,
you know, butties and sausage rolls
and cakes and all that stuff.
And my brother, Tam,
he'd go like this...
He would pick up a load
of stuff in his right hand
and then he'd stash it
under the table in his left hand.
And he would keep eating
with the right hand.
And when everything was gone
and the table was empty,
he would just resort
to what was in his left hand.
Greedy bastard.
Twice the size of me.
Still is.
What about you?
It's just me and our Claire.
And she's got no kids.
Is that out of choice?
Um, I don't know.
I don't know, we don't really go there.
I knew there was something wrong.
I didn't know he was carrying on,
but I knew something wasn't right.
So I said, "Why don't
we try for a boy?"
Thinking that would sort it.
But that's what he'd always wanted,
you see, deep down.
Anyway, he just said, "No, I'm
happy with just the girls
"and nothing was wrong."
But now she's pregnant.
This other woman is pregnant,
and, of course, it's a boy.
So, yeah, that hurts a bit.
Anyway...
Why, thank you.
Goodnight. Evening.
Madison Street first, please, mate.
Off Chambers, yeah.
And then I'm going on
to Wardsworth Street, thanks.
In your own time, mate.
Do you want to come back for a coffee?
What about your mum?
She'll be asleep.
Your sister?
She'll give you the once
over and then leave.
Eyes wide if she approves and mouth
like this if she doesn't.
I tell you what, mate,
we're both getting off at Madison.
Just up here on the right.
Oh, my God, what's happened?
Oh, God.
Are you Jenny Northwood? Yeah.
And this lady? Yeah, it's my mam.
What's happened?
Hiya. How's things?
Fine.
Yeah, how's Mam?
Fine, everything is fine.
You just go and enjoy yourself.
I'm at home, Claire, with Mam.
I'm sorry, Jenny, I'm really sorry.
They wouldn't even know
what to do with her,
only she was wearing
the bracelet that I got her.
I said, "How lucky was that?"
Sorry. It's OK.
I had to go to Jenny's last night and...
...I didn't get back until late,
I'm really sorry.
It's OK, it's fine.
Claire, love, I have been
meaning to ask you this, anyway.
Do you need some time
off to be with your mum a bit more?
What? I can sort that for you
if you want.
No, I'm fine, thanks.
Are you sure?
Positive.
[MUSIC ACCELERATES]
Mam!
Mam!
Mam!
[SIREN WAILS]
Daddy!
Hey, you all right?
How is she?
No news yet.
I wondered whose it was. What?
The broomstick outside.
Oh, have they eaten?
No, and no cheesy chips again, please.
What about a fish supper?
Yeah!
You can afford that, can you?
Just about, yeah.
Right, come on, girls.
Let's leave Auntie Claire
to her cackling.
This way.
Bye, girls. BOTH: Bye, Mummy!
Now, you have already got a care
package settled for Mary
and they will keep that open
for as long as they possibly can.
Sadly, the longer she stays here,
the more her care package is threatened,
so it is in all of our best
interests to get Mary home again
as soon as possible.
Now, the scan does show...
Sorry, you're hurdling ahead here.
Am I? Yes.
We've not seen our mother yet,
nor any doctor who treated her,
nor any nurse who cared for her,
but you're already throwing her out.
I'm throwing nobody out, I assure you.
What is your title again?
Claire.
Discharge liaison officer.
It used to be you'd come into hospital
and leave when you got better.
You can't do that any more.
Not enough beds, not enough money.
So you are here doing a job
that shouldn't even exist.
I'm here to help this unit run
as efficiently as possible.
Would you like to see your mother now?
It doesn't help, you know?
Having a go at them.
What, do you think if we were nice
to her, she would be nice to Mum?
No, she sees niceness as weakness.
Hi, hiya.
Ow! Stop! Stop!
Stop! Sh, sh.
[MARY WAILS]
Has she hit you before?
Well...
I was struggling with
her in the car once,
she caught me on the nose.
But I think that was an accident.
That is the first time
she's done it and meant it.
Why do you think she did it?
Because she's back in the hospital,
she hates it there.
We'll find her somewhere else.
We did.
She went missing five minutes later.
You're thinking of bringing her
back here, aren't you?
[PHONE RINGS]
ANSWERING MACHINE: Hi, sorry I'm not
at home,
leave a message and I'll get
back to you.
Um, about that coffee...
I wondered if we could, you know,
maybe try again some time?
Coffee?
Look, you tried having her back
here and you failed.
But you got a lucky break.
A lucky break? Yes.
I'm sorry to be brutal,
but, yes, a lucky break.
And she's back in there now
and she is their responsibility
and not yours.
They will do it so much
better than you ever will,
because that's what
they are trained for.
Tell me you won't bring her back here.
Why do you want to do it, anyway?
Half the time she doesn't
even recognise you.
You're doing it because she's your
mother
and you've got to be seen to
be looking after your mother.
It's out of guilt and fear
of what the neighbours will say.
Her life's over, Jenny,
don't let her ruin yours.
Do you know what?
I do feel guilty, yeah.
But what about you, Claire?
Better to lock me mother
up in a home than see me sister
running around like a blue-arsed
fly making me feel so guilty
cos I do fuck all.
[MOBILE RINGS]
Hi.
Say something.
I'm sorry.
Do you know the best thing a mother
can do for her children?
Die.
You are so wrong.
[RINGING TONE]
Oh, thank you. There we are.
Oh, look, please say you'll have her.
I don't know how long
she's got left, you know,
and I just don't want to spend it
being worried sick about her,
I just want her to be comfortable.
Well, we've got what she needs.
Round-the-clock nursing care,
doctor on duty
or on call 24 hours a day,
and a good staff to patient ratio.
Of course we'll have her.
Thank you.
But it is 700 a week.
You'd have to fund that from
the sale of your mother's house.
She doesn't own her house, you see.
Well, it's a council house
and she wouldn't pay it on principle.
Does she have any other assets?
No.
Then the council would
put 400 towards it.
And the rest?
Well, you'd have to find that.
I wish you hadn't shown me around now.
You've tried for NHS
Continuing Healthcare?
What?
[MOBILE RINGS]
Hiya, Jen.
What?
And we can do that?
Hello, I'm Rebecca Compton,
I'm head of the stroke unit here.
You are?
Jenny. And you must be Claire.
Yes. Sorry it's taken
until now to meet,
but I have been on secondment.
You know Amanda?
Yes, we've had the pleasure.
Right, how's it going?
Well, we've seen two nursing
homes that are suitable
and two that aren't.
And the two that are, we can't afford.
People do find that they need
to lower their sights a bit.
We have done.
Often it's just appearances.
The standard of care no different.
Take Belle Vista, for instance.
It looks a bit basic, but it is good.
We've put my mum in Belle Vista.
They lost her the same day.
Well, we're not trying to put
you under any pressure whatsoever,
but we could do with that bed,
of course.
We understand that.
Can I read you something?
Of course.
"When your need for care
is primarily due to your need
"for health care,
"you may be eligible for NHS
Continuing Healthcare.
"A complete package of ongoing care
arranged and funded by the NHS
"to meet physical or mental health
needs that have arisen
"because of disability,
accident or illness."
Why didn't you mention this?
I thought we did.
You didn't.
Well, we did assess her informally
and she didn't qualify, so...
Well, can you do it formally, please?
Well, that would be a waste
of time, I'm afraid.
We would do that only if you insist.
Oh, we insist.
OK.
But don't build your hopes up.
Please, don't do that.
Auntie Claire! Auntie Claire!
Hiya!
Claire with eclairs!
Hey! Not for you!
Hands off! Your mum.
Is, um, Nick still on the scene?
This came this morning.
Mum's assessment.
It's been rejected.
Is he married?
What do we do?
We appeal.
Is he married?
No.
Good.
Don't attack them.
Do you want to do it?
If you'd like to take a seat?
Good morning.
My name is James Simpson
and I will be chairing
this independent review panel
scrutiny of the rejection
of Mary Taylor's application for
NHS Continuing Healthcare.
Could we all please introduce ourselves?
Angela Bellman, geriatric nurse.
David Tully, psychiatric nurse.
Shirley Woodford, social
services administrator.
Jenny Northwood, Mary's daughter.
Claire Taylor, Mary's daughter.
We were expecting someone
from the hospital,
but as it is well past ten o'clock,
we'll make a start without them.
I apologise that you have
been kept waiting.
Hi, I'm so sorry,
I was held up on the ward.
If you would like to give
us your name, take a seat,
we'll carry on.
Yeah. Amanda Jennings,
discharge liaison officer,
standing in for Rebecca Compton,
head of the stroke unit.
First, I'd like to invite
members of the panel to ask you both
any questions they may have.
Is that all right with you?
Can you tell us a bit
about your mother before the stroke?
She was very independent.
She's lived on her own since Dad died.
She did everything for herself.
Did she have mobility problems? No.
Her knee sometimes, but...
And did she have any hobbies?
Politics, in general.
Labour Party in particular.
Liked the telly.
Wildlife shows, bit of drama, Newsnight.
And her personality?
Self-contained, very proud,
very principled.
And directly after the stroke,
did her personality change?
Yes.
She became noisy, uninhibited, angry.
She kept seeing my father
in every man on the ward.
And how is her behaviour now?
Even worse.
Jenny's called in nearly
every day to feed and medicate her,
because the staff can't cope.
She is violent and lashes out at them,
out of terror, I think.
Or pain.
Can I...?
Why all this?
I'll tell you why.
Money.
There's nearly a million
old people with dementia
and to give them the treatment
they need costs serious money.
And why spend serious money on the old?
Hence all this.
Hence you, Amanda, barring the gates,
playing God with people's lives.
Well, that's fine.
But you are not going to do it
with my mother's.
[SHE SOBS]
I'm sorry, just give me...
I'm sorry, Jenny. I'm sorry.
There's a report in front of you.
I think you will remember, Amanda,
that we went to the Court of Protection
cos Mum wasn't capable
of granting us power of attorney.
Yeah.
To do that, you need
a consultant report,
so I'd like to read
that to you, if I may.
"Mrs Taylor has suffered a major
stroke and has developed
"severe cognitive impairment.
"She has expressive and receptive
dysphasia
"and cannot retain information.
"She is confused
and fails to understand.
"It is extremely difficult
to communicate with her.
"She was found wandering the ward,
agitated and occasionally
"very aggressive.
"Mrs..." Sorry.
"Mrs Taylor has significant
mental health issues
"and has lost
the ability to make decisions.
"There has been no evidence
of any improvement.
"It is likely that these adverse
effects will be long-term.
"She needs supervision and 24-hour
care from qualified nursing staff
"for her medication and other
daily activities."
He seems to think she's seriously ill.
You seem to think she's fine.
Why such a difference?
There's another form in front of you.
This is the questionnaire
that my mother supposedly filled in.
This is the document
that I think cost my mother
her continuing health care.
"Do you feel happy?"
Answer A, all of the time,
B, most of the time,
C, rarely, D, never.
My mother has answered,
B, most of the time.
And there's lots of other
questions on there,
as you can see, that my mother's
answered A's and B's for,
nothing critical whatsoever.
So this woman who the
consultant described as
"unable to understand
and difficult to communicate with"
has answered every single answer
on this form.
Are you saying someone else
filled it in?
Yeah, I am.
I mean, if you gave my mother
a form, she'd eat it.
Miss Jennings?
I can't explain it, I'm afraid.
Anything else?
Yeah.
My mum has been in hospital
just twice before.
When she had me and when she had Claire.
Apart from that, she has not
cost the NHS a penny,
yet she's contributed to it
her whole working life.
Well, now she's sick.
She needs 24-hour nursing care.
She needs a doctor, a counsellor,
a gastroenterologist,
a physiotherapist,
my mother deserves these things.
She deserves a place
that meets her needs.
Anything else?
Miss Jennings?
In that case, can I ask you both
to step outside for five minutes
whilst we have a quick chat?
Thank you.
Hi. Hi.
Thanks.
A disadvantage. Yeah.
I'm sorry.
Can I say something?
I'd like to give you all a break,
treat dementia with the seriousness
it deserves in hospitals like mine.
But do you know what that means?
A nurse being called away
from a young person fighting for life,
because an old woman
in the next room has shit herself.
Please come in.
Thank you for your patience.
A committee must decide only
on the evidence before us.
However, we are in agreement
that this assessment does not
accurately reflect the state
of Mary's health
and we are therefore ordering a
new assessment to be carried out
as soon as possible.
This will take a while.
But I can tell you now that we are
minded to allow your appeal.
So you should go ahead and look
for a nursing home
that can cater for Mary's needs.
And if, as I believe,
you have already found one,
perhaps you should start
talking seriously to them.
You will receive a letter confirming
this over the next couple of weeks.
Thank you. Thank you for
your time, good to meet you.
There you go. That's it.
We're thinking of adopting.
I've been on the IVF
for a while now and...
...so, we're trying something else.
Hello, Mary.
Welcome to Marshal House.
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