Court rules dementia sufferer can go home

The Court of Protection ruled yesterday that a dementia sufferer, who was admitted to a care home under the Mental Health Act, can go home for a trial period after her representatives complained that being in a care home was not in her best interests. In an unprecedented move the court also named her as former MP, Manuela Sykes, after journalists argued that it was in the public interest and the judge agreed it was in line with her own strong wish’ for her situation to be reported. Judge Anselm Eldergill said: Manuela Sykes’ emotional welfare and her past and current wishes to remain at home were weighed against the risks to her if she returned home … On the basis of MS’s emotional welfare it was decided that it would be in [her] best interests to trial a placement at home with a number of safeguards in place. This would include the arranging of a substantial package of care in M’s home to minimise the risks to her as much as possible, following the reduction of environmental risks in her home as much as possible.