MP calls for rethink on disabled toilet aid charges
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MORAY'S MP is calling for a rethink on a policy to charge more than £100 a year for the maintenance of specialised toilets installed in the homes of disabled people.
The equipment allows people with disabilities to live independently and some have had the toilets in their homes for years without charge.
Douglas Ross MP said some elderly and vulnerable people on low incomes were now anxious that the basic necessity could be taken away from them, adding that the bills had "come as quite a shock".
Health and Social Care Moray (HSCM) said the new contribution towards the annual maintenance cost of wash dry toilets brings Moray into line with other Scottish authorities – and was originally agreed in November 2018.
The partnership said this was not, however, implemented from April 1 last year as planned.
HSCM said that in November last year revisions to charges for services, including aids and adaptations, were agreed for this financial year following a benchmarking exercise against other Scottish local authorities.
These revisions included setting the wash dry toilet maintenance contribution at £27.04 per quarter.
Mr Ross said he had been contacted by several local residents who have received these bills without prior warning, requesting payment of £108 per year for maintenance charges.
Mr Ross said: "Some people have also been asked to pay a backdated amount of £27 immediately for the last quarter and have received a direct debit form in the same envelope to complete for the year ahead.
"Those who have been contacted by the council are often elderly or vulnerable people who have little income and are anxious that if they cannot pay, their Clos-o-mat toilet, which they rely on, will be taken away. This item was installed because they each have a particular need for a toileting aid so it’s very disappointing they are now being targeted in this way."
He added: "Some of those now being asked to pay this charge have had the toilet aid for several years without being asked to fund the maintenance – so being presented with a bill they had not budgeted for has caused considerable anxiety and upset.
"For disabled people, having a disabled toilet is a basic necessity and should not be seen as an extra or a luxury, which is why I’m asking Moray's health and social care partnership to look at this decision again and reverse these charges."
A spokesperson for HSCM said: "Social care charges are agreed each year by the Moray Integration Joint Board for recommendation to Moray Council.
"Charging contributes towards the sustainability of services which support residents to continue living independently in their own homes in line with Health and Social Care Moray’s Home First approach.
"Wash dry toilets are installed free of charge following assessment by an occupational therapist. The annual maintenance charge is a contribution towards the cost of regular servicing and any repairs needed.
"We appreciate that any charges may have a financial impact on service users. We will continue to work with service users and in collaboration with Moray Council’s Income Maximisation Team to ensure all individuals are getting the benefits assistance they are entitled to so no one who really needs a service has to give it up.
"We monitor the impact and mitigation of all charging decisions in line with our responsibilities under the Fairer Scotland Duty."
