A STARK warning has been issued to Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership, (HSCP), from those who provide a critical safety service for vulnerable people in Dunoon.
The local Telecare emergency response team assist vulnerable, older people by responding to triggered pendant alarms and door sensors when something goes wrong such as a fall, or when a person becomes unwell.
The team checks for injuries and often administers basic first aid. Most of the time these call outs do not require paramedics or an ambulance. Without this vital service every triggered alarm would result in a police or ambulance call out which would needlessly use up their already limited time.
Currently the HSCP is facing a budget crisis and a serious funding shortfall and options are being explored regarding a wide range of cuts. One proposal is to remove the Telecare emergency response team for both Dunoon and Rothesay. Telecare alarms would still exist, but there would be no local responders – alarms would be passed on to ambulance or police instead.
Concerns by the team and locals have been expressed over such a proposal as it would mean more 999 calls and longer ambulance waits, a higher risk of falls becoming hospital admissions and infinitely more stress for carers and families.
Day responders have expressed their disgust and concern over the proposal and have warned that if the service was cut it would overburden local paramedics and police, who are already struggling to cope.
One responder contacted this newspaper and explained: “Myself and my colleagues are disgusted with the proposal to shut down our service. We were unaware of this proposal and found out through the press. Not even our management at the highest level were consulted, never mind that this is done in the run up to Christmas.
“Many of my colleagues and those who rely on our service have sent e-mails to our local councillors. We hope that all see sense and scrap plans to axe what is a vital service across Argyll and Bute.”
There is no firm date yet for when a cut to the Telecare emergency response team would take effect, though the proposal is part of a broader set of savings under review by the HSCP.
It understood that any decision to cut the service will be made early next year.
