Watchdog Slams Islington Council for Social Care Failures in Parkinson's Case
A watchdog has strongly criticized Islington Council for causing perpetual stress to a family by refusing to offer proper social care support to a resident with Parkinson's disease. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) rebuked the council, the North Central London Integrated Care Board (ICB), and the North London NHS Foundation Trust for failing to complete an aftercare assessment for a woman, referred to as Mrs X, after she was sectioned in 2021.
Family Forced into Full-Time Care Without Support
The Ombudsman highlighted that Islington Council dragged its heels in providing full financial support, leaving the woman's daughter, Ms A, and her partner, Mr B, in a state of uncertainty. The couple had to give up their jobs to become full-time carers for Mrs X but were forced to do so without a care package, exacerbating their financial and emotional strain.
Background of the Case and Legal Disputes
Mrs X was sectioned in early 2021 during a psychotic episode and later moved into a care home after discharge. In 2023, she expressed a desire to leave the care home and relocate to live with her daughter and partner outside the borough. Islington Council had previously commissioned care services for Mrs X in December, acknowledging that her Parkinson's diagnosis impaired her ability to perform daily tasks. Records noted the severe impact of the neurodegenerative disorder, including mood swings, tremors, and rigidity.
However, after the move, Islington Council and the new local council became embroiled in a dispute over responsibility for her care. Under Section 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983, local authorities and the NHS are legally required to provide free specialist aftercare for individuals who have been sectioned. Another council assessed Mrs X and concluded that worsening Parkinson's symptoms could affect her mental health, potentially leading to re-sectioning, thus making Islington, the ICB, and the Trust responsible for care support.
Council's Flawed Assessment and Ombudsman's Findings
Islington Council rejected this assessment initially without explanation, leaving the family without a care package. Later, the council claimed it only needed to provide 10% of funding under the Mental Health Act, arguing that Mrs X's needs were predominantly related to Parkinson's under the Care Act 2014. The Ombudsman found this assessment delayed and flawed, ignoring the interplay between Parkinson's and her mental state, despite earlier council acknowledgments of this link in 2020.
The investigation determined that Islington Council, the ICB, and the Trust were all at fault for failing to assess her aftercare needs post-discharge in 2021. The watchdog ordered the creation of a comprehensive aftercare plan and criticized the lack of agreement on a care plan. Islington Council was singled out for being unclear, which confused the family and likely prolonged the funding dispute.
Remedies and Apologies Issued
The Ombudsman stated that the uncertainty alone, along with associated stress and frustration, constituted an injustice. As a remedy, Islington Council, the Trust, and the ICB were instructed to write to the family accepting blame, collectively pay Ms A and Mr B £750 each, and explain their failure to complete the assessment despite multiple opportunities, such as after Mrs X's discharge in 2021.
A spokesperson for the ICB, which merged with North West London ICB on April 1, 2026, apologized for the failings and confirmed agreement with the remedy actions. An Islington Council spokesperson also accepted the findings, apologized for the distress caused, and committed to implementing all recommendations in collaboration with NHS partners.
The North London NHS Foundation Trust was approached for comment but has not yet responded. This case underscores ongoing challenges in social care coordination and the critical need for timely support for vulnerable individuals and their families.
