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Lucinda Ritchie, a 33-year-old woman with multiple disabilities, has expressed feelings of betrayal, worthlessness, and fear after being relocated to a nursing home against her wishes. Previously, she lived independently in her adapted bungalow in Billingshurst, West Sussex, supported by 24-hour nursing care funded through NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC). However, following a hospital admission for pneumonia in April last year, she was not permitted to return home even after ten months of treatment.
Instead, in February, Lucinda was transferred to a nursing home located in Uckfield, approximately an hour away from her family and familiar surroundings. Her health worsened within two days of the move, resulting in her readmission to hospital. NHS Sussex has stated that they are dedicated to collaborating with Lucinda and her family to ensure she receives safe, high-quality care tailored to her needs. Meanwhile, legal expert Neil Allen, an independent barrister, has remarked that it is “very unusual” and “totally unlawful” to force an adult with full mental capacity into residential care without consent.
Lucinda lives with several complex medical conditions, including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, functional neurological disorder, Addison’s disease, and epilepsy. She requires specialized support such as a tracheostomy and sometimes uses a ventilator. Communication for Lucinda primarily relies on eye-gaze technology. Prior to her hospitalization, she was engaged in postgraduate studies and active in advocacy roles. Despite her expressed desire to return to her home—where she felt safe, connected to her family, and maintained a sense of independence—NHS Sussex All Age Continuing Care commissioners informed her family that she would be moved to the nursing home. On the day of the transfer, Lucinda’s mother revealed that her powered wheelchair was switched off and pushed, emphasizing that Lucinda did not consent to this relocation.
Efforts to negotiate a plan
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