Dear all,

We thank you greatly for all the support you have shown Dill and their family. We are overwhelmed to have nearly 2000 of you sign our urgent petition, join our social media, alongside your generous donations that have increased our reach. 🙏🏼

As our campaign rapidly grows, there are opportunities to join #Team Dill. We are from all walks of life, work with mutual respect, and support. Email us at Dill.Team.Social@gmail.com or drop us a message on our socials:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DM8UTR1stvi/

We have the following updates:

• St James Hospital’s Head of Nursing, who has a history of poor conduct, blocked Team Dill from emailing senior staff under their management. They asked us to redirect concerns through the ward, which is known to slow down progress. However, during Dill's mattress change, a senior staff member was present. Dill asked for clarification, and was told that their email was in fact still available. Despite seeking to work together, Team Dill has been consistently met with such behaviour, leaving Dill feeling isolated.

• LTHT have offered Dill a ward swap, which is for people over 75. LTHT have admitted that the conditions on the new ward are much worse, with individuals who may be very confused, have episodes of mental distress, with some walking unsupervised. The noise is often louder, and there is much less staffing.

• LTHT then suggested a different room on Dill's existing ward. This was already discussed many months ago and deemed unsuitable due to a loud, slamming adjoining door. This has ultimately left Dill trapped in the same room, with both options not viable.  

• LTHT safeguarding investigations continue to fail Dill, as senior staff repeatedly deny that Dill recently again laid in their faeces for 48hrs. No plans have been made to avoid this from happening again, with inaccurate narratives and documentations.

• The ICB has arranged the new 24/7 agency to begin shadowing Dill's existing day carers from 18th August 2025. Dill has two carers working together at all times. Dill's carers have 2 years of complex care training, and are best suited to continue day care at this pivotal time. However, the ICB has put together an alarmingly rushed 4 week plan, which expects the 24/7 agency to complete their full training within this time. By week 3 all existing carers would be completely removed, with a vague “assessing of progress” on week 2. We await to see the level of fairness provided to Dill.

• Having 12 new, unfamiliar carers at this point is life threatening, as it takes many months of training and client engagement to conduct complex severe ME care safely. Dill remains depleted due to the hospital environment, and is unable to provide the 24/7 team this level of engagement. We are also yet to see whether the new team are suitable. Dill should not have their existing carers taken without consent, as significant evidence currently demonstrates that this could result in Dill’s rehospitalisation.

• The ICB’s plan is unrealistic, and Dill is not being included or consulted within their own care plans, as shadowing can easily be conducted at home. The benefits of being imminently discharged include: training in a severe ME friendly environment, having Dill rested and able to engage, and ensuring that new carers are fully capable before any handover.

• Dill’s day care agency owner has displayed a worrying lack of concern for their welfare. The owner has stated that they will pull care at week 4, despite promising that they would continue until discharge. Considering the circumstances, we have asked care to continue until ICB carers have proven capable. The ICB too have communicated a 2 week check-in to ascertain capability. Abandoning Dill will cause further deterioration, threatening their discharge, and potentially their survival. Our request is that the day carers continue their excellent work, and for management to uphold accountability as a care provider towards their client.

• It has taken 11 months but LTHT Podiatry has now cut Dill's nails. Physiotherapy will not offer regular therapy sessions, repeatedly asking untrained carers and family to carry out physical movements which could injure Dill. This safeguarding risk hinders their progress to walk again. 

• LTHT finally provided a mattress which Dill has been moved on to. Due to their longstanding refusal to research an appropriate one, Dill had purchased the incorrect size, which resulted in continuing agony. They have asked for a refund months ago and still await an answer.

🎉In some good news🎉,

The UK’s national ME association have decided to back Dill's campaign! We feel honoured to have their support, and encourage anybody new to ME to follow their incredible work. Dill also celebrated their birthday with a small, rare, gathering of friends and family. They feel very tired but grateful - we shall upload a picture of their beautiful cake! 🎂❤️

We have set up Team Dill social media accounts which are available on our Linktree, to stay up to date on campaign progress, and videos of hospital life. Connect with us on Instagram and Tiktok, same links at. We are also looking to expand our team! Email us on Dill.Team.Social@gmail.com or drop us a message on our socials 😊

We are deeply grateful for every signature, share, and donation. It’s helping give us hope that the institutions will eventually exercise their full Duty of Care to meet Dill’s care needs.

With gratitude and solidarity ✊🏼

Team Dill x