Redesign of homecare services in the Western Isles

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar are to undertake a pre-consultation on the redesign of Homecare Services.

Homecare services operate across all areas of the Western Isles and provide support to around 600 service users whilst employing more than 300 staff.

The service has grown and changed significantly in recent years, with an increasing demand and complexity of care being provided against an increasingly tight financial environment.

A Member Officer Working Group has been meeting to plan for a programme of change and redesign to ensure users receive the best possible service.

The Trade Unions of Unite and Unison have been members of this working group, representing the position and interests of the Home Care workforce.

An Initial Report, Redesigning Homecare Services, was approved by the Health and Social Care Committee and Policy and Resources Committee in November 2013. This report outlined the backdrop of Home Care provision across the Western Isles and the variances in the ways in which staff are both contracted and scheduled.

A pre-consultation process will begin week commencing 9 December and continue into the New Year to both share the reasons behind the redesign plan and listen and respond to staff views and questions at more than 20 pre-consultation meetings. Correspondence explaining the pre-consultation process has also been sent to Service Users with a short questionnaire regarding the service that is received.

Iain MacAulay, Director of Social and Community Services said, “The purpose of the pre-consultation is to consider the needs of individuals and local communities whilst engaging responsibly with service users and staff and working to maximise the effectiveness and efficiencies of Comhairle resources.”