To resolve this situation, the Sylvester House team arranged for strategy meetings with the Homerton Hospital and with emergency services. New protocols were then established that alerted Sylvester House whenever L. presented himself in A&E or called 999. This eliminated the risks of over medication and overdose, reduced his 999 calls and prevented ambulances or fire engines being dispatched unnecessarily.
Sylvester House staff also arranged for L. to have an urgent review of his pain medication with his GP and as a result his pain medication was changed to one more effective. Regular Key working sessions worked with L. to explain the risks of overdosing and that new protocols have been set up whenever he calls 999 calls and visits the hospital A&E. L. started to speak to Sylvester House staff when in pain, which was less frequent now as he was on the correct pain medication.
Consequently, L. no longer calls 999 or spends his days waiting in hospital A&E departments. Instead, he engages his time in further education, sports and leisure activities, and in finding part time employment.
L. has now completed several courses at the Hackney Community College, Leyton College and The Centre for Better Health, and studied English, Maths, Health & Safety, Cooking and Catering. L. has also just enrolled onto a Carpentry and Home Maintenance course at a London Community College starting in September 2017.
