A preventable death? A family’s perspective on an adult safeguarding review regarding an adult with traumatic brain injury
| Pages | 341-352 |
| Date | 12 December 2016 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JAP-08-2016-0017 |
| Published date | 12 December 2016 |
| Author | Alyson Norman |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Vulnerable groups,Adult protection,Safeguarding,Sociology,Sociology of the family,Abuse |
A preventable death? A family’s
perspective on an adult safeguarding
review regarding an adult with
traumatic brain injury
Alyson Norman
Alyson Norman is a Lecturer in
Psychology at the School of
Psychology, University of
Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to review the care managementof a man with a traumatic brain injury
(TBI) from a family member’s perspective.
Design/methodology/approach –The paper provides a case his tory of “Tom”bothprior to his TBI and after.
Findings –Tom was the subject of a safeguarding adults case review in Somerset following his death in
2014. Ultimately the paper highlights the shortcomings and failures in the care Tom received by various
organisations which ultimately contributed to his suicide.
Practical implications –The paper highlights the need for more effective communication between
professionals managing the care of those with TBI. Furthermore, professionals need training in the need for
mental capacity assessments and improved safeguarding and risk assessments with adults with TBI.
Originality/value –This paper provides insight into the needs of an adult with TBI from the perspective of a
family member who is also a trained psychologist.
Keywords Mental health, Mental capacity, Social work, Safeguarding, Advocacy, Brain injury
Paper type Case study
Introduction
In December 1993 my older brother “Tom”had a serious road traffic accident. This accident led
him to suffer a significant traumatic brain injury (TBI) which changed his and our lives forever.
Tom took his own life in June 2014. This paper will discuss Tom’s life, the impact of his head
injury and provide insight into the shortcomings and failures in the care he received post-injury.
Tom prior to TBI
Tom was ten years older than me so I did not really know him as a child. He moved out when I
was six and had his accident when I was 12. My main memories of him are from when he was
about 16 onwards. I idealised him as most little sisters idealise their big brothers. Even then he
was a troubled young man with mental health difficulties, namely, depression, but all I saw was a
boy who loved his little sister who always wanted to spend time with her.
Tom had a different father, and the separation between our mother and his father was
acrimonious. His Dad rejected him and to a certain extent, so did our Mother, leaving him feeling
Received 12 August 2016
Revised 21 October 2016
Accepted 21 October 2016
DOI 10.1108/JAP-08-2016-0017 VOL. 18 NO. 6 2016, pp. 341-352, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 1466-8203
j
THE JOURNAL OF ADULT PROTECTION
j
PAG E 34 1
To continue reading
Request your trial