Apologies for this question but here goes - if someone needs to be taken to the toilet, have their clothing removed sufficiently to allow them to use the toilet, then needs to be wiped/cleaned afterwards and then have their clothing reassembled again - is this classed as beyond the scope of social service ancillary care?

Does this come under nursing care?

I would say that if it was because of the person being assisted having been diagnosed with vascular dementia, Alzheimer's or other types of dementia, and the terminal illness has affected them to the extent that they need such assistance then it is not social care, but care needed as a result of a diagnosed medical condition.

Thanks Bob.

My mum's illenss is MS and she has no sense of balance, can hardly weight bear when transferring from wheelchair to loo and has little or no co-ordination, making this entire activity almost impossible without help.

I took her to the loo the other day and could hardly cope on my own with her even though she is quite small in stature and build etc... but then I'm not much bigger. Trying to manoevre her from wheelchair to loo, manager her clothing etc... and keep her from falling was very hard just for me on my own so I have seen at first hand how she needs 2 people. (Not that long ago she used to insist on being left to her own devices once inside the cubicle and I suspect she has told the nursing staff exactly the same hence they don't need telling twice - and accordingly the DST fails to recognise the reality.

With MS being an incurable medical condition then I would not regard such assistance in your mother's case as of a social nature. She needs the help because of her medical condition.

Thanks. I'm trying to do some research.