Malcolm Pointon
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Malcolm Pointon (b. Unknown - d. February, 2007) was a pianist and lecturer from Thriplow, England, and the subject 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, August 8, 2007.
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[edit] 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 was awarded the MBE for her work.[6]
[edit] 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 day after the filming.[7] His widow, Barbra Pointon, is a well known protester for improvements in the care of Alzheimer's.[8]
[edit] References
- ^ a b BBC (2007). Malcolm and Barbara: Love's Farewell (English). BBC. Retrieved on September 29, 2007.
- ^ Barbara Pointon (2007). I have no doubt my husband wanted his last moments to be filmed - for the greater good (English). Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved on September 29, 2007.
- ^ Barbara Pointon. REFLECTIONS ON MAKING A HEALTH COMPLAINT AND THE HEALTH OMBUDSMAN’S FINDINGS ON THE CARE OF MALCOLM POINTON (English). Alzheimer's Society. Retrieved on September 30, 2007.
- ^ Alzheimer's Society. Health ombudsman report breaks new ground in dementia care (English). Alzheimer's Society. Retrieved on September 30, 2007.
- ^ Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. Case No. E.22/02-03 Funding for long-term care (The Pointon case) (English). Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. Retrieved on September 30, 2007.
- ^ BBC News (2006). Dozens win awards for commitment (English). BBC News. Retrieved on September 29, 2007.
- ^ Adam Sherwin (2007). Faked death scene brings new television furore (English). Times Online. Retrieved on September 29, 2007.
- ^ Alzheimer's Society (2007). Forget-Me-Not: A speech by Barbara Pointon who cares for her husband, Malcolm (English). Alzheimer's Society. Retrieved on September 29, 2007.
