Case Studies
Case Management
The following are case examples that Bush & Company have been directly involved in. They highlight the important role that our Case Management Service plays in providing ongoing support to clients who require specialist care:
Helping people to return to independence
Jeremy is an 18-year-old with a C6 spinal injury. He has virtual loss of use of both hands and is dependent on a wheelchair for his mobility. On his discharge from hospital he was completely dependent on his family and the District Nurse.
He required a suitable lightweight wheelchair and did not own a vehicle. The local authority was undertaking improvements to his present home to provide a ground floor extension, however, the facilities were only suitable as a short-term measure.
Bush & Company was appointed to Jeremy’s case under the Code of Best Practice in Rehabilitation, Early Intervention and Medical Treatment in Personal Injury Claims. Three members of our team, a nurse, an occupational therapist and a case manager, visited him.
One of our nurses advised on a suitable care regime, utilising directly employed care to assist the family, while our occupational therapist recommended suitable aids and equipment, including a lightweight wheelchair and powered chair.
Bush & Company’s case manager, in close consultation with Jeremy, the nurse and occupational therapist put in place the necessary care, aids and equipment and assisted with the purchase of a wheelchair and a vehicle. Our case manager now assists with any problems that arise and visits him on a monthly basis.
As time goes by, Jeremy may inevitably wish to live independently of his parents with the benefit of adequate care in his own home. Advice on the provision of suitably designed accommodation in the future is also readily available from skilled professionals at Bush & Company.
Ongoing support - a vital role of our case managers
Peter, a 55-year-old high level tetraplegic, had been in hospital for three years following his spinal cord injury. Our case manager was directly involved in his discharge from hospital and with the assistance of the Case Management Service, arranged and co-ordinated an essential care team to look after him. Without this vital support, Peter would still be in hospital.
Alan, a teenager with acquired brain injury, has severe problems with communication, mobility and behaviour. Our case manager helped to recruit care staff, who work closely with experts to carry out a daily rehabilitation programme. This programme had clear goals and objectives and was co-ordinated and monitored by the case manager. As a result of the organised approach, together with consistent and skilled care, Alan continues to make significant progress in all areas.
John is a 20-year-old who suffered traumatic brain injury at a young age. He has physical and behavioural problems and is unable to access local statutory services because of these. Care staff recruited by the case manager work closely with family members to complete a consistent approach to behaviour management. This has enabled John to participate in a varied range of purposeful activities in the local community.
Vocational Case Management
Independence through employment
Katie was injured in a road traffic accident as a child and sustained significant orthopaedic injuries to her legs, resulting in Katie only being able to walk short distances and suffering from high fatigue levels.
Katie successfully applied for a position at her local supermarket. Normally staff are expected to work in all areas of the store and on a variety of shift patterns. We negotiated with the supermarket managers for Katie to work only on the checkout so she could sit during her shift. We also negotiated shorter five-hour morning shifts to suit Katie’s fatigue levels. In addition, we arranged for taxis to take Katie to and from work through the access to work scheme. Katie is now enjoying a level of independence that has been made possible by vocational case management.
Returning to alternative employment
For 20 years, Mark had worked in a factory before sustaining a severe brain injury following a fall at his workplace. Mark was unable to return to his previous employer, but as he had spent most of his working life in the same role he did not know what options he had. Mark’s injuries meant he had difficulties in planning and organising activities and also with his short term memory.
We explored employment options with Mark and it became clear that Mark had a passion for working with animals. We arranged for Mark to undertake voluntary work and supported him to study animal care at college. After a year he applied for a position at the local zoo and now works there full time.
Mark has found a new lease of life, working in a job he enjoys. Mark’s quality of life following his injury is extremely high thanks to his vocational case management.
Bush & Company deliver dramatic rehabilitation results
Working under the Code of Best Practice, Bush & Company have helped to deliver dramatic results and a significant improvement in the lives and prospects of the injured clients of my firm, for whom they have provided early intervention and rehabilitation services. (solicitor testimonial)
