5 hours ago
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Eilidh DaviesBBC Scotland News
BBC
Iona Grant said she thought she would be placed in a care home in Nairn for just a few weeks
A 29-year-old woman who has cerebral palsy says she was "chucked" into a care home about 100 miles from where she lives after her NHS-funded care package collapsed.
Iona Grant said NHS Highland told her the arrangement would only be for a few weeks but it has now been almost five months since she was moved to Nairn.
She said she had lived "relatively independently" at home in Fort William, but was told she could not be provided with the necessary care following a minor operation in October.
Iona accused the health board of doing little to get her back home. NHS Highland said it did not comment on individual cases and urged patients with concerns to contact its feedback team.
Cerebral palsy is a group of conditions caused by a problem with the brain. It affects movement and co-ordination.
Iona, who uses a wheelchair to get around, had previously received support at her home.
However, she was told two carers were needed for her aftercare following an operation in Glasgow but it was not possible to provide that level of care package.
"They gave me five days notice before they chucked me up here [in Nairn]," she said.
"I lived independently within reason. I had my carers coming in four times a day.
"I was independent. I cooked my own food. I did my own shopping. I did whatever I needed to do."
Iona said the care home and its staff were "lovely", but she wants to be back in her own home.
She believes she is the youngest person in the care home, and also one of the few able to live almost independently.
Iona said a lack of communication had been the worst thing about her situation.
"They said it would only be for a couple of weeks but then said 'you'll be staying up here until after Christmas'," she said.
"Then they said by email it would only be a month I would be at the home for and that's been nearly five months."
She added: "They've not really done much to try and get me home.
"I would like to go home."
Iona's father, Stewart, described the situation as "horrendous"
During her time away from home, Iona's 14-year-old dog, Diesel, died.
She was heartbroken not to be able to be with her pet in his final days.
Her father, Stewart Grant, who was looking after Diesel and lives in Kinlochleven - 22 miles by road from Fort William, but 104 miles from Nairn - said it was difficult to visit his daughter because he relied on public transport.
"It's absolutely dreadful," he said.
"We've had no Christmas together. It was my birthday in January – no birthday."
He said he would not be able to celebrate his daughter's 30th birthday with her next week.
Iona Grant
Iona said it was heartbreaking to be away from her dog Diesel who has now died
NHS Highland said it worked closely with health and social care professionals, partner organisations, individuals, and their families to help it provide the most suitable care.
A spokesperson said: "Due to patient confidentiality and privacy it would not be appropriate for us to comment on individual cases however we would encourage the individual concerned to contact our feedback team."
Kate Forbes, deputy first minister and SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, said she was made aware of Iona's situation in December.
She has spoken to NHS Highland to "stress the importance" of a care package being found.
PA Media
Deputy First Minister and Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes says she has contacted NSH Highland about Iona's case
Forbes said: "This issue has had a significant impact on Iona, and it is why I took immediate and urgent action with NHS Highland.
"I am disappointed that it has not been resolved yet and I have continued to follow up with NHS Highland to ensure Iona has carers in place to help her live as independently as she possibly can at her home."
Scottish Care, an organisation representing the independent social care sector, said cases like Iona's were increasing due to a lack of staff and funding.
Chief executive Donald Macaskill said such cases were not unique and people were being "taken away" from their families and communities.
"No matter how good that care and support is, they are not where they want to be, where they need to be, and where they should be," he said.
He added: " What matters is that people are able to live independently to live their life to the full, where they belong and where they come from.
"And if that means that we need more resource and a greater focus on ensuring that we can deliver services in remote and rural communities, then we need to do that."
