Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

PRESS RELEASE

1 June 2001

For Use: Immediately

OLDER PERSONS’ SERVICES - THE PEOPLE SPEAK

In the largest response ever achieved in a single survey on older persons’ services in Scotland, over 3200 households in the Western Isles set out their views on how services should be developed. The results of the survey are being presented to Comhairle members and to other organisations with an interest in this area.

In common with all other local authorities, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is facing the challenge of redeveloping many of its residential care homes to meet new care standards. The Scottish Executive is legislating to establish an independent body to set standards and regulate public and private social care in Scotland. A Commission for the Regulation of Social Care will be operational from April 2002 and will have direct responsibility for enforcing both residential and home care standards.

The Scottish Local Authorities Management Centre, part of the University of Strathclyde, conducted the survey on behalf of the Social Work Department of the Comhairle. Colin Mair, Director of the Centre, commented, “It is critically important that changes planned now take account of increasing numbers of older people needing services in the future, but that they take account of the changing preferences and expectations of older people as well.”

The Comhairle is at an advanced stage in planning the replacement of Uist House, as part of its commitment to bring services up to the new registration standards. An earlier community survey, covering Benbecula, South Uist and Eriskay, has been used as part of the planning and consultation for this proposed development.

Malcolm Smith, Director of Social Work with the Comhairle, highlighted two key messages coming from the community, both in the Uist survey and the one covering the rest of the Comhairle area. “People are looking for extended home care, capable of delivering personal care as well as domestic help, giving constant support at any time needed. Within residential care, the respondents to this survey set great store by the physical standards and privacy that residential care should provide.”

“Both these messages set out a challenging position”, says the Director. “Although the Comhairle has one of the best resourced home care services in Scotland, we need to move ahead with getting help to people when they most need it, and not be confined to the traditional daytime service. Early-morning and late-night service can be a vital aspect of helping someone remain at home, safely and comfortably. The Comhairle is currently considering proposals to change the way in which the Home Care service is organised, to make more flexibility possible, as well as looking at new developments in respite care at home, intensive post-hospital support, house adaptations, and more ready access to occasional night-time assistance”

The outline plans for the replacement of Uist House, seen as the start of an island-wide programme, have drawn on community views on standards for residential care and home-based support. These plans include high quality physical accommodation, respite care places and extensive day care resources to support people in their own homes.

Chair of Comhairle nan Eilean Social Work Committee, Mairi Bremner, welcomed the publication of the survey. “The only way that the Comhairle can make progress is by listening to the views of the people, and also meeting the new national standards. This Council is determined that we will secure the resources necessary to achieve first-class services for our older people, and the survey, the most intensive of its kind ever undertaken in Scotland, is an important tool in delivering these services.”

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer