Paralysed man from Poole forced to live in an elderly care home for a year
44-year-old RNLI Lifeguard Alex Barthe suffered a spinal injury during a surfing accident on holiday in Argentina
Last updated 4th Feb 2025
A 44-year-old disabled man from Poole has been living in a local care home for the elderly for the last year as living independently was made impossible after wrongly being found ineligible for NHS continuing healthcare (CHC). Now after struggling with the system for a year, Alex has finally moved into a home of his own in Poole town centre.
Alex Barthe said, “In January 2024, I was found not eligible, and now I’m a complex case who needs expert care for my own safety! This journey of frustration, being depressed and feeling like I’m hopeless, should I have had to go through this?”
Alex sustained a spinal cord injury on 28th March 2013 during a surfing accident while on holiday in Argentina. He was left paralysed from the neck down but was thankfully pulled out of the water by a bystander. Thanks to his extensive training with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Alex was able to instruct his rescuers to give him the first aid he needed to survive.
Having moved between Argentina, Spain, and the UK throughout his life, Alex planned to move back to Poole to work with the RNLI following his rehabilitation in Argentina. He describes lifesaving as his “passion in life” and was excited to continue his career in the UK.
Alex’s difficulties began almost immediately as he had to wait six weeks for an occupational therapy assessment to determine the level of care he is entitled to. In the meantime, he paid for a carer out of his own money, although he did not yet have a paying job.
Alex has limited movement in his right arm but is otherwise paralysed from the neck down, meaning he needs full time care to live a full life. Alex needs help with everyday tasks ranging from setting up a laptop to personal safety when out in public. At risk of becoming homeless, Alex was moved into a care home for the elderly by the council.
But the care home did not specialise in spinal cord injuries, so Alex’s condition was not properly managed putting him at risk and with so many other residents to care for he was left for long periods of time without seeing anyone.
“I was limited to go out as I face a lot of risks by going out alone, which I eventually had to do because I was going to become crazy being locked in a place like that, which was not for me, it’s for elderly people. I’ve seen more people passing away in the last year than in my whole life.”
Alex decided to fight his case and got in touch with Spinal Injuries Association whose advocacy team took on his case.
Advocacy manager, Carol Barraclough said, “Alex had no specialist support at his first assessment. His needs were downplayed and regarded as managed needs, they were all muddling through with no specific knowledge on spinal cord injury and the complex nature of his care was not properly considered.”
After a lengthy appeal process Alex’s application was approved and he moved into a house of his own this week. He looks forward to living his life more independently, restarting his career, and getting to see his friends and family.
For others who are struggling with continuing healthcare, housing, or other disability-related issues, Alex’s message is clear: “I definitely advise people to get help. Get help from people that know about your condition and know about the system and how it works. You need the experts working there because sometimes a word can change a lot of things.”
“I am very thankful to Carol and everyone who supported me. ‘Thanks for giving me my life back.”
A spokesperson from NHS Dorset ICB said:
“Whilst we are not able to comment on individual cases, we are confident we have followed the correct processes and offered Alex the appropriate support.”