Latest news with #HSCP
Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Carers urged to find 'inner strength' and protest cost-cutting proposals in Renfrewshire
Campaigners set to pick up their placards and make their voices heard again over potential health and social care cuts. Carers have been urged to find their "inner strength" and protest cost-cutting proposals that would affect some of Renfrewshire's most vulnerable people. Campaigners are set to pick up their placards and make their voices heard again next week after Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) published stark detail on potential measures to close its budget gap earlier this month. Documents released as part of the engagement process provided grim substance to plans that were discussed at the integration joint board (IJB) – which oversees the HSCP – last year. The range of services that could be impacted cater to people with learning and physical disabilities and autism as well as older adults and children. It comes just over a year after carers won their battle to prevent the amalgamation of Mirin and Milldale day services – an idea which was voted down at the IJB last April. But they plan to return to Renfrewshire House on Friday, June 27, to fight fresh proposals, including a redesign of day services for people with learning and physical disabilities, a respite review and other possible closures. Linda Murray, a representative of the Renfrewshire Learning Disability Carers Group, said: "We knew it wasn't a done deal last year. We basically got a stay of execution. "We're tired, we're exhausted, it took a lot out of all of us and we expected to at least get a couple of years' grace but we knew it wasn't over. "They're making all these proposals but they can't give us an idea of what the services are going to look like going forward. There's no substance behind the numbers. "It just seems to be all about the money and not about the people, the lives and the impact that this is going to have on those people. I said the same last year, it's pounds over people. "It seems to be a constant battle but I would just ask people to find that inner strength that I know that they've all got and give us another 45 minutes to an hour on Friday, June 27, to show solidarity for the services that are impacted." If approved at the IJB in September, day services for people with learning and physical disabilities would operate across three hubs – Milldale at the On-X in Linwood and the Anchor Centre and Spinners Gate in Paisley. Services would no longer use Paton's Resource Centre in Johnstone or the Mirin at Lagoon Leisure Centre and the Disability Resource Centre in Paisley. There could also be changes to respite provision at Weavers Linn, with people deemed in 'critical need' receiving up to 28 nights per year and in 'substantial need' receiving up to 21 nights. In older adult day services, the closure of Ralston Day Centre has been proposed and people would instead be offered a place at facilities in Johnstone and Renfrew. Autism Connections and Flexicare, which support people with autism and learning disabilities, could be shut down while the HSCP could make a saving by ending the assertive outreach model, which helps people with learning disabilities with high care needs. Other ideas include removing three staff posts from the health visiting team through retirement or not filling vacancies and the scaling back of the Childsmile programme. Linda, whose daughter Gillian has Down syndrome and a learning disability, has criticised a number of the suggestions put forward by the HSCP. She added: "We're all realistic people, we've all had to cut our cloth with the financial crisis that's going on just now and we totally understand that, but I just think it's been done so haphazardly and the areas that they're cutting and making savings on are so ill-conceived. "The learning disability community and the physical disability community as well now seem to be an easy target." An HSCP spokesperson said: "IJBs across Scotland are currently facing significant financial challenges. "In recognition of this position, Renfrewshire IJB considered around £19m of possible savings options across HSCP service areas when it met in December 2024. "This reflected the IJB's decision that savings of 10 per cent across all influenceable service budgets should be identified, wherever possible. "Several proposals were approved at the time, which will enable the HSCP to deliver operational efficiencies and achieve savings through the redesign of internal service models. "This included proposals for care at home, community nursing, primary care support and community mental health. We are engaging with our staff around these proposals and the revised models for these areas are in development. "Responsibility for implementation and monitoring of these proposals has been delegated to the HSCP's sustainable futures programme board. "The proposals that are currently open to the live public engagement process were also considered in December 2024 and the IJB agreed that these should be further developed, with feedback gathered through public engagement. "The proposals currently being discussed were developed through ongoing discussion with service users, carers, impacted staff and partners. "As part of our engagement approach, we have offered people a variety of ways to share their views on the proposals. This is well underway, but options will be available for them to contribute until the end of June. "Feedback gathered will be used to help IJB voting members understand the impact each proposal would have when they meet to review the updated proposals at their meeting in September. "However, it is important to emphasise that no decisions will be made on any of these proposals until then."
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
'Investment in saving lives': Contract for alcohol and drugs crisis outreach service approved by Renfrewshire councillors
Elected members authorised senior officers to award deal to nationwide charitable organisation Change, Grow, Live. A contract for an alcohol and drugs crisis outreach service has been approved by Renfrewshire councillors in a move dubbed an "investment in saving lives". Elected members authorised senior officers to award a deal for the initiative to nationwide charitable organisation Change, Grow, Live. The step was agreed at the council's finance, resources and customer services policy board and the agreement will be for two years with an option to extend for a further year, depending on funding. The contract – which is worth almost £300,000 per annum – is anticipated to start on Friday, August 1, however, the date will be confirmed in the local authority's letter of acceptance. Councillor Graeme Clark, a Labour representative for Paisley Northeast and Ralston, said at the meeting: "Given that drug and alcohol deaths in Renfrewshire continue to be above the Scottish average and given the increasing complexity of those presenting to our services, I believe that Change, Grow, Live can provide a range of services to support individuals, families and communities that's needed. "The charity has considerable experience in working with challenging service users with complex needs including those with entrenched drug habits, offending behaviour, homelessness, antisocial behaviour, domestic violence and social deprivation." He added he has "no doubt" this funding will be an "investment in saving lives". A report, which will be considered at the meeting, explained why the matter had been brought forward to the board for consideration. It said: "The purpose of this report is to seek the approval of the finance, resources and customer services policy board to enter into a contract for Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drugs Crisis Outreach Service with Change, Grow, Live. "The provider will engage with individuals at higher risk of overdose and those who have experienced a near fatal overdose, to provide care and support, and to increase access to life-saving protective treatment. "At present, the service is delivered by the Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) in-house harm reduction response team." Thomas Paterson, service manager for contracts and commissioning at the HSCP, said: "I agree that they come with an awful lot of experience, a significant provider of alcohol and drug services across the UK, and we're certainly excited about the skills and experience they can bring into Renfrewshire. They will be completely embedded within the alcohol and drug recovery services." The costs associated with the deal will be met by Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership, which is a partnership consisting of the HSCP, council, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Prison Service and voluntary sector. The maximum approved value is up to just under £900,000 for the full contract period. The agreement is for two years with the option to extend for a further year on one occasion, but the extension is fully dependent on Scottish Government funding.
Daily Record
12-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Determined mum wows to take on Scottish Government over 'Postcode Lottery' support for adults with learning disabilities
Margaret Roberts, from Ayr, claims her severely learning disabled son Brandon, is the victim of 'discrimination.' A devoted mum is demanding a national review of transport provision for adults who are learning disabled across all health and social care partnerships (HSCPs) in Scotland. Margaret Roberts, from Ayr, claims her severely learning disabled son Brandon, is the victim of 'discrimination'- because South Ayrshire Council's HSCP won't help fund and meet his complex care and transport needs. And Margaret claims the discrimination of learning disabled adults' care needs is more widespread - after discovering that many other Scottish local authorities DO fund transport costs. She said: 'This is an atrocious case of discrimination and it's an issue that needs to be urgently reviewed by the Scottish Government. 'Basically, the South Ayrshire Council HSCP were trying to make Brandon fit a service that didn't fit him and I am not going to allow this. Instead, I am challenging the system and I am requesting that the Scottish Government, conducts a national review of transport provision for adults with learning disabilities - across all HSCPs.' Ayrshire Live previously told how Margaret and Brandon were left in limbo last year following a dispute with South Ayrshire Council's HSCP over Brandon's health and social care needs. At the time Margaret claimed she'd been forced to adopt additional caring pressures for Brandon, after a fallout with social care chiefs. The dispute arrived as a result of the local authority's proposed new day-care service package which identified Arrol Park, in Doonfoot Road, Ayr, for Brandon's health and social care needs. However, Margaret labelled the set-up 'unsuitable and dangerous for Brandon,' because Brandon has a history of absconding and has no road safety awareness. She was also told that the council would not help fund transport arrangements for Brandon to attend. The South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership said they were willing to 'work with the family' to achieve the best outcome for Brandon, but so far the situation hasn't changed. Brandon is still supported by his mum 24/7 for the last 16 months. And it's prompted Margaret to claim a 'Postcode Lottery' exists after she raised a Freedom of Information request showing that many other councils do stump up the cash for similar needs. Margaret now has the backing of one MSP who has been made aware of her situation and is also calling for a review. Brandon, 28, is severely learning disabled and lives with Autism. He is also non-verbal and has a fixation with transport. On one previous occasion Brandon absconded was later traced on a train to Aberdeen. He previously attended Camphill Blairdrummod, a third sector day service in Stirling since leaving school nine years ago. Margaret and Brandon moved to South Ayrshire in November 2023 which resulted in Brandon's care package being transferred from the East Dunbartonshire Adult Disabilities Team to the South Ayrshire Adult Disabilities Team. From the outset of Brandon transferring to South Ayrshire - and before any needs assessment had been done by a social worker - it was stipulated by the social work department that they would not be funding the same care package for Brandon. Margaret was also told Brandon would be going to Arrol Park Resource Centre three days per week - and they would NOT be providing transport to assist his travel. According to Margaret, South Ayrshire Social workers even suggested that he purchased a mobility car to fund his own travel and that his mum could drop him off and collect him. But Margaret has her own professional career and unable to facilitate this. Again, says Margaret, this was suggested without a carers support plan 'being completed.' Despite meetings with the head of service and social work service manager, Margaret's still not been able to secure an agreement that suits Brandon's care needs. Margaret said: 'The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 states that carers should be supported to work if they choose to do so. Social workers are required to take the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 into consideration when developing an individual's carers support plan. They should consider their need to balance their caring responsibilities with work, quality of life and wellbeing whilst undertaking their caring role.' Margaret's situation was assessed as part of her carers support plan assessment. But nothing put in place to enable her to balance work commitments and transport Brandon to and from the identified suitable service. 'The Scottish Government's health and wellbeing framework stipulates that the priority for Scottish Ministers is to improve people's experience of health and care services and the outcomes that services achieve,' said Margaret. 'In particular, improving the quality and consistency of outcomes across Scotland, so that people and carers have a similar experience of services and support, whichever, Health Board or Local Authority area they live within. 'But there are inconsistencies and people like Brandon are not getting the level of service they are entitled to, so there's discrepancies and discrimination here.' Margaret set out to conduct research at national level to scope out how many local authorities across the country implemented the same practices. There are 32 local authorities in Scotland. Margaret contacted the 32 local authorities using under the Freedom of Information Act. And, according to Margaret, her findings demonstrated a 'clear inequality' across the country in relation to providing transport for people who are learning disabled to their day services. She said: 'This inconsistent approach clearly demonstrates a postcode lottery, where services are determined not by need, but by geography, for those who are learning disabled adults.' Margaret's FOI shows there are 13 local authorities who do not provide transport. All three local authorities in Ayrshire (North, East and South) don't provide this. Margaret said: 'This situation raises serious human rights concerns. Unpaid carers are being relied upon to provide daily transport, often at the expense of their own employment and wellbeing, contrary to the Scottish Government's statutory commitments to support carers. 'Carers have been forced to reduce working hours, give up careers that they have worked hard for to facilitate travel for their adult to access a day service. This forces families further into poverty and poor health outcomes.' Margaret is now campaigning for the power of these decisions to be removed from local authorities and for Scottish government to take leaderships on this issue and conduct a national review of transport for provision, for adults who are learning disabled- across all HSCPs. She also requesting that Holyrood introduce clear national guidance or standards to ensure equity and consistency in service access across Scotland and a 'rights-based approach to future service planning,' 'in line with Scotland's obligations under international and domestic law.' She added: 'This is a matter of dignity, fairness, and equality and should be treated it with the gravity it deserves and to also address the growing inequalities faced by learning disabled adults and the families who support them.' A spokesperson for the South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership said: 'South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership are working to achieve the principles set out by Scottish Government and our local Strategy to provide care closer to people's homes. 'We can't comment on individual cases, but we continue to work with the family to achieve the best outcomes based on the principles of improving health and wellbeing, choice and control, living as independently as possible and active citizenship.' Social Care Minister Maree Todd, who this week moved across to take on the drug and alcohol ministerial brief, said: 'The Scottish Government want those with learning disabilities to live longer and healthier lives. 'Independent living is a crucial part of enabling human rights, with self-directed support playing a key role in delivering this. 'The Scottish Government holds overarching responsibility for health and social care policy in Scotland and has published clear standards outlining what people should expect when accessing services. 'The statutory responsibility for delivering, commissioning and providing appropriate social care services at a local level lies with local authorities and Health and Social Care Partnerships, taking account of local population needs.' South Scotland Labour List MSP, Colin Smyth, said: 'Margaret and Brandon's situation is deeply upsetting— and sadly, it reflects a wider problem families across Scotland are facing. 'There is a clear postcode lottery that exists when it comes to support for adults with learning disabilities. 'Some Health and Social Care Partnerships fund transport, others don't— and that inconsistency is placing huge pressure on carers and creating unnecessary barriers for those who need help the most. 'Families shouldn't be forced to fight for basic support because of where they happen to live. The system must be fairer.' He added: 'The Scottish Government needs to carry out a national review and bring forward clear guidance to ensure everyone, no matter where they live, gets the support they're entitled to.'
Glasgow Times
31-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Inspections at 7 Glasgow homeless hotels find 'defects'
Environmental health inspections at a number of hotels and B&Bs used for homeless people in Glasgow have led to 'defects and issues' being identified. Last year, the Glasgow Times launched the End the Homeless Hotel Shame campaign to highlight the conditions people were enduring when in need of accommodation. One of the asks of the campaign was for the council to carry out an inspection regime to ensure owners, who are paid millions of pounds a year, comply with decent standards. In the last year, from April 2024 to March 2025, the council paid more than £45 million to private hotels and B&B owners in the city. The campaign heard firsthand from people who lived in the hotels and they reported dirty conditions with stained mattresses and bedding, rats and mice and drug taking and violence going unchecked. The council has revealed it started an inspection programme in November last year and has carried out 18 visits on seven properties up until April this year. Inspections undertaken focused on: Management of Legionella; Asbestos Management Plans; Health & Safety; Management of Hazardous substances; Inspection Checklists; Cleanliness; Pest control; Management of Falls from Height; Window Restrictors etc. Pat Togher, chief officer, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, has revealed the inspections in a report to councillors. He said: 'A summary of the seven inspections noted a number of defects and or issues that have been identified by Environmental Services staff. 'The defects and or issues were not uniformly identified across all the sites. Each site inspected, demonstrated varying degrees of compliance and understanding of requirements and legislation. 'In response to the inspections and continued dialogue with the HSCP the management of the hotels and bed & breakfast have all responded positively and constructively to the inspection reports and subsequent recommendations. 'This has resulted in no enforcement notices being served on the owners of the establishments with all owners welcoming and embracing the recommendations. 'They have reacted quickly to address any issues highlighted to them following the Inspections.' He added: 'There is now a greater understanding of what is required with regards to the management of health and safety within the hotels and bed & breakfast sites. Consequently, HSCP staff are now also better equipped to understand key areas to note when visiting establishments and engaging with hotel and bed & breakfast managers.'
The Herald Scotland
31-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
North Ayrshire Council warned of £46.7million funding gap
The report revealed that the council's latest Medium Term Financial Outlook has identified a structural funding gap of £46.7m in the three-year period to 2027-28 (including HSCP pressures). Projected savings from transformation fall significantly short of the savings required. Officers are clear that future recurring savings also need to be made through workforce changes, cuts in services, and council tax and fees and charges increases. Officers have indicated that future recurring savings also need to be made through workforce changes, cuts in services, and council tax and fees and charges increases. However, Audit Scotland claim the transformation programme needs to be sufficiently ambitious to respond to the scale of the financial challenges. The Accounts Commission's Local government in Scotland Financial bulletin 2023-24 noted that councils need to intensify transformation activity, progressing at scale and pace to ensure their financial sustainability. The council's current transformation programme, known as its Sustainable Change Programme, was approved in 2023 and clearly sets out how it intends to transform its services, in line with its priorities, through five workstreams and six service reviews. Between 2021-22 and 2024-25 the council achieved financial efficiencies from its Sustainable Change Programme of £3.136m. They plan to make further efficiencies of £8.5m over the next three years. There was scope for the council to consider opportunities for more radical transformational change with partners. Mark Boyd, Head of Service (Finance), told the committee that in terms of transformation there is a lot of work going on and the solar farms would generate revenue. They were progressing with a number of services reviews like waste services, learning resource reviews and digital workstreams. There was also more momentum about how the 32 councils could better work together. In areas like blue badges, he said they could maybe have one solution across the authorities. Thirty-two councils were all doing similar tasks and they had to look to harness that activity and target efficiency from it. Budget preparations were beginning next week with the executive leadership, the finance boss revealed. There were also ongoing discussions with other Ayrshire councils around wider reform and opportunities to share services and that would continue although there had to be the will to progress that through three separate entities that had to be done at officer level and leadership level.
