Fife care campaigners lament ‘the end of an era’

A Fife campaign group has called the ending of domestic services for disabled and older people who don’t receive personal care as the “end of an era.”

Friday will see the end of the local authority’s cleaning, laundry and bed-making services for those who don’t qualify, following the decision to stop shopping delivery and pension collection services earlier this year.

The council’s decision to cease shopping and housework services was one of several budget savings announced earlier this year, with changes applying only to users who receive domestic-only service.

Anyone receiving personal care as part of a personal care package will continue to get the service.

However, with the landmark date approaching, Maureen Closs, from the Campaign Against Charges and Cuts (CACC), accused the council of having “scant regard” for people’s welfare.

“Before they were called home carers, there were the home helps — the army of women who went into the homes of vulnerable people, lighting their fires, cleaning their houses, making them cups of tea and providing all the other wee kindnesses that ensured those in their care were safe and looked after,” she said.

“That was in the days when councils saw it not only as their legal duty to take care of all their citizens but also because it was the right thing to do. Now everything is budget-driven, with the frail and vulnerable being the people lined up to take the brunt first.

“Why? Because they are seen as soft targets who are trapped in their houses and not in a position to make themselves heard.”
Reassurance

Ms Closs slated the council for supplying people with a booklet that lists private agencies providing domestic services, suggesting the council had previously reassured people an alternative would be provided if they were found in need of a service.

She added, “They have done nothing at all to try to ensure that the people who are receiving the booklet have the means to pay for an alternative service which on average will be £8 to £10 per hour — not forgetting that the same people may already have had to find similar sums two months ago to pay for their shopping on an ongoing basis.”

When it comes to changes to housework services, Martin Thom, the council’s social work service manager, reassured people that care teams will support service users throughout this transition.

He said, “Any change to a service which people and their families have relied on for many years can be daunting.

“However, just because the council will no longer deliver the service, does not mean we stop caring.”

He added, “The welfare of our clients is paramount and if service users have any concerns, we will arrange to meet and discuss their needs.

“Due to the personal and very individual nature of what we are doing, the change has been be phased and we are continuing to work closely with the Fife Elderly Forum to ensure vulnerable people continue to be supported.”

CACC is supporting the Kirkcaldy Trade Union Council’s planned demonstration against public sector cuts in Kirkcaldy Town Square at noon on Saturday and called on people to get behind the rally.

Ms Closs said, “We need as many people as possible to turn out if we are to stop the further decimation of all that we hold dear that was fought so hard for by our older generations.”