OVERNIGHT CARE SERVICE “A GREAT SUCCESS”

The overnight support service started in January this year, providing care to people at home through a mobile team of carers, has been praised as a great success. The Social Work Committee of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has now agreed to jointly fund the continued service with the Western Isles NHS Board, and to explore the potential for the service being extended to new areas of the islands.

Funding for the initial trial period was from the specific allocation made to the NHS Board for alleviating pressure on hospital beds over the winter. The Director of Social Work reported to the committee that the focus for the service was to extend personal care at home beyond the traditional confines of it being a day and evening service, providing practical personal care to people who have overnight care needs.

The committee was told that it had been anticipated that, as a new service, there might be quite a slow take-up rate initially. In fact, demand built up quickly and 15 people presently receive a night-time care service.

“For some of the users”, said Malcolm Smith, Director of Social Work, “the service makes the difference that allows them to remain at home. We know that is where most people prefer to be cared for, and it is an important additional care choice that reflects the priorities of the community. For others, it is a real qualitative improvement, although they would remain at home at this stage anyway”.

The Social Work Committee also agreed that the potential for extending the service to another area of the Western Isles later this year be fully explored by the director, in consultation with NHS partners.

Mrs Mairi Bremner, Chair of the Social Work Committee, commented following the meeting. “The Comhairle is committed to listening to the people of our communities. This new service is an important part of extending options for care at home, and needs to be seen alongside the home care service, the alarm service, community nursing, occupational therapy and the voluntary sector, as an additional building block in delivering comprehensive home-based care”.

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk