Change to deaf and mute OAP’s care ‘despicable’

The nephew of an 86-year-old woman who has been deaf and mute since birth has criticised Aberdeenshire Council for making a “despicable” change to her care.

The local authority ended its contract with Aberdeen and North-East Deaf Society yesterday, which had provided a social worker with sign-language skills for Elizabeth Raffan, of Nether Davah House, at Inverurie.

The council – which has taken the social work service in-house – insists that Ms Raffan will continue to get all the help she needs from its own staff and new provider, Deaf Action.

Dementia sufferer Ms Raffan, known as Betty, used to receive weekly visits and help with everyday tasks as well as assistance with communicating with her sister, who has Alzheimer’s.

Nephew Neil Andrews fears that Ms Raffan will become isolated without the signing social worker’s help.

“Nothing I have heard has made me think that she will receive a signing social worker,” he said.

“It is more that they will bring in interpreters as and when necessary – which is not like for like.”

Mr Andrews, who lives in Orpington, Kent, added: “Betty was brought up to be agreeable and unless you spend time with her you are not going to be able to get her to share her feelings.”

He said he is now considering relocating his aunt to be nearer his home as his local council has a signing social worker.

A spokeswoman for Aberdeenshire Council said: “We offer assurance to everyone who receives support that they will continue to get what they need, from both a social care perspective and also help with communicating.

“Deaf Action does work with British sign language users and will work in partnership with the council’s social work team to assess the needs of all service users who require support.

“A care manager directs and coordinates care for all service users and would then be supported by a service such as Deaf Action to attend to issues of communication or co-ordination of social contacts.”

She added: “In this particular case and others like it, the social work care manager will continue, as in the past, to coordinate the care package which the client requires and ensure this continues to meet specific needs.

“We are keen to facilitate a smooth transfer as far as possible and encourage any other clients who are concerned to raise any issues directly with their care manager.”

A spokeswoman for Deaf Action said the council was now providing social work services and will provide information, advice and specialist equipment. It is one of a number of approved providers of interpreting services.

Aberdeen and North-East Deaf Society has also lost its contracts with Aberdeen and Moray councils and will close down in June.

A spokesman for the charity said it would be “impossible” for Aberdeenshire Council to reproduce the service that it offered.