Malcolm Pointon

Malcolm Pointon (died February 2007) was a pianist and lecturer from Thriplow, England, and the subject of the film Malcolm and Barbara - A Love Story shown in 1999, and, more recently, of an Independent Television program entitled Malcolm and Barbara: Love’s Farewell, broadcast on Wednesday, 8 August 2007.

Alzheimer's

Malcolm Pointon was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at the age of 51.[1] From that time up to his death, he lived in Thriplow, Cambridgeshire.[1]

After the diagnosis, Pointon's wife Barbara decided to allow film-maker Paul Watson to document the events on film, which took place over the course of 11 years, and she felt that if her husband could have understood, he would have said "Go for it".[2]

Mrs. Pointon had complained to the Health Service Ombudsman and prior to the report made about the case in February 2004, in September 2003 was awarded £1,000 a week by the health authority to care for her husband.[3] In response to statements made by the Alzheimer's Society, the Ombudsman took the unusual step of mentioning her by name, stating that the case did not set a precedent.[4][5]

For her work campaigning for better care of those with Alzheimer's, Mrs. Pointon was included in The Queen's Birthday Honours of June 2006, and was awarded the MBE.[6]

Controversy

The program was the subject of controversy, because the film ended with the death of Mr. Pointon, which turned out not to be true, as Pointon had entered a coma, and died three days after the filming.[7] His widow, Barbara Pointon, is a well known campaigner for improvements in the care of Alzheimer's.[8]

References
  1. BBC (2007). "Malcolm and Barbara: Love's Farewell". BBC. Retrieved 29 September 2007.
  2. Barbara Pointon (28 July 2007). "I have no doubt my husband wanted his last moments to be filmed - for the greater good". London: Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved 29 September 2007.
  3. Barbara Pointon. "REFLECTIONS ON MAKING A HEALTH COMPLAINT AND THE HEALTH OMBUDSMAN'S FINDINGS ON THE CARE OF MALCOLM POINTON" (PDF). Alzheimer's Society. Retrieved 30 September 2007.
  4. Alzheimer's Society. "Health ombudsman report breaks new ground in dementia care". Alzheimer's Society. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 30 September 2007.
  5. Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. "Case No. E.22/02-03 Funding for long-term care (The Pointon case)". Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 30 September 2007.
  6. BBC News (17 June 2006). "Dozens win awards for commitment". BBC News. Retrieved 29 September 2007.
  7. Adam Sherwin (1 August 2007). "Faked death scene brings new television furore". London: Times Online. Retrieved 29 September 2007.
  8. Alzheimer's Society (2007). "Forget-Me-Not: A speech by Barbara Pointon who cares for her husband, Malcolm". Alzheimer's Society. Archived from the original on 9 June 2007. Retrieved 29 September 2007.
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