Maureen has always advocated: the above phrase and it is somewhat at odds with my approach to life.  Whilst she might urge a cautious approach to things I am inclined to ‘let them have it with both barrels’.  At the end of a frustrating week in terms of progressing my Carers’ Assessment I am left with a dilemma.  Maureen’s more conciliatory approach  will lead to further delays as our social worker is unavailable for ten days or so.  My inclination is to up the ante and seek an earlier resolution to my poor conditions as a Care Partner.

It is worth comparing my working conditions with those of my stumbling block: even adversary; as that is what she appears to be at the moment.  Our social worker is unavailable for most of next week, as she is on three days training. When she called in on Wednesday she told us of a week’s holiday in the Isle of Wight and another short break  on the horizon.  I am not sure of her plans for the weekend but she is unlikely to be on duty.  By the way she couldn’t see me earlier in the week as she needed to get her phone fixed.    I  had to phone yesterday to get confirmation that she couldn’t see me.  She had failed  to respond to an E mail sent on the previous day.  When I make any comparison it is obvious I have drawn the short straw here: my working conditions are appalling compared to hers.

There comes a time in any set of negotiations when you have to call ‘time out’.  As a dyed in the wool trade unionist there is no other way for me to see a Carers’ Assessment: it is a bargaining situation and I can’t even get to the negotiating table.  As I am pretty worn out at the moment; waiting is a risky option both for Maureen’s welfare and my health.  Maureen’s needs are growing and I need a Carers’ Assessment.

I will play Maureen’s game over the weekend and hope I can give her the support she needs.   It is unlikely that any family will visit and that may be a good thing.  Neither of us are really capable of putting on the hostess mode at the moment and more bodies in the house won’t help.

My tactics on Monday?    Will I threaten to abandon Maureen again as I did five weeks ago?   That would be telling and you never know who is reading this Blog.  Well my threat certainly ruffled a few feathers five weeks ago and moved them from seats in their offices.

To to put all of this into it in simple language the ‘status quo’ cannot continue.  Do you know I still haven’t found the Local or National Agreement for Care Partners.  I reckon it’s time to ring Doug our Best Man when Maureen and I married, as he’s a Full Time Official with Unite now.  Lots of potential recruits out there my old mate: paid and unpaid carers.