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Council seeks permanent solution


By Staff Reporter

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Moray Council is trying to deal with a shortage of healthcare workers in the area.
Moray Council is trying to deal with a shortage of healthcare workers in the area.

A KINLOSS man with health care needs was given less than a week to find a new provider when his withdrew local services.

Ian Reeves of 5 Manse Road has depended on his daughter helping him get his wife Pat out of bed, washed and dressed in the mornings since Allied Healthcare stopped delivering care packages to clients in Forres, Findhorn and Kinloss on Sunday.

He said: "There was a team of three excellent Allied workers in the area who have helped us for years.

"Notice was only given last Tuesday. They knew they wouldn't be back before that but were sworn to secrecy by Allied. They suggested we make our own private arrangements.

"Social services are aware but they are up against a brick wall and the other care providers are unable to take on further clients."

Allied Healthcare Moray confirmed that, over the past five months, they have been unable to recruit sufficient care professionals in the area for current service users.

A spokesman said: "Since initially raising the issue with the Moray Council, we have continued to work with them to find an alternative care provider or look to provide the care with their in-house care team.

"However, as delivering a high level of care to all our service users is our main priority, we have decided to hand back the care provision contract in the Forres, Kinloss and Findhorn areas."

He added: "The local authority suggested we give service users a weeks’ notice on the transfer of care - this was done on September 9.

"The council informed us it would be in contact with the service users directly, to update them on their new care provider, as of September 16."

Health and Social Care Moray (HSCM) have confirmed that plans are being put in place to manage the on-going issues around care staff recruitment.

Commenting on the recent reduction in capacity, HSCM head of service and chief social work officer, Jane Mackie said: "We appreciate that these challenges have the potential to impact on those who receive care, and we are doing all we can to ensure that this does not happen. My team and I are looking at what we can do in the short-term to bolster our staff teams, but this issue is not going to go away – we need more care staff, particularly in Forres."

She added: "People are living longer and we are privileged to support people to remain in their own home as far as possible, to continue to do this, we need to build our staff complement.

"I am in discussion with care providers to look at how to improve the staff pool that we have, and I would encourage anyone thinking of a career in health and social care, to join us and enjoy the rewards that the sector offers."

Meanwhile, Moray Integrated Joint Board (MIJB) has launched their draft strategic plan for consultation. The IJB is the public body that directs the shape of services delivered across HSCM.

Titled ‘Moray Partners in Care’, the draft strategic plan 2019- 2029, was approved by the recent MIJB meeting and will be out for public consultation until October 11.

The document sets out the plans for the next decade of delivering health and social care in Moray. Three key themes have been identified, including supporting people to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing, enabling people to live in a homely setting and to ensure that people have choice and responsibility for their own care requirements.

Commenting on the consultation launch, HSCM chief officer Pam Dudek said: "A significant amount of work has been put into the document that has included a series of workshops over the last year.

"We are really keen to hear of any additional thoughts or observations our service users and the general public feel important to consider prior to finalising this document.

"‘Moray Partners in Care’ reflects the broad partnership principles of mutuality, working together to provide positive outcomes for and with the people of Moray.

"Partners include Moray Council and NHS Grampian teams, as well as those from both the Third and Independent sectors, carers, people who use our services and communities.

"We are all partners in the delivery of health and social care services in Moray and together are more likely to be successful."

A report on the consultation along with the final version of the Strategic Plan will be presented to the Board on October 31.

View the papers at http://hscmoray.co.uk/strategic-plan-consultation.html



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