HEALTH and social care chiefs in Argyll and Bute have faced “unprecedented pressure” in the care at home market in recent times, a councillor has said.
But councillor Dougie McFadzean (SNP, Kintyre and the Islands) has highlighted the work done by the area’s health and social care partnership (HSCP) to ensure continuity of care services.
Carers Direct suddenly closed in June, while Oban Community Carers made a planned withdrawal in August, leaving alternative arrangements needing to be identified for over 100 people.
The details feature in Cllr McFadzean’s report, as policy lead for care services, which will go before Argyll and Bute Council at its full meeting on Wednesday, September 23.
He said: “Argyll and Bute HSCP has experienced unprecedented pressure within the care at home market arising from both an unplanned provider failure and a planned provider withdrawal.
“The sudden closure of Carers Direct on June 1, and the planned withdrawal of Oban Community Carers (OCC) on August 9, have required the HSCP to identify alternative arrangements for 102 individuals receiving a total of 1,019.75 hours of care and support per week.
“The HSCP has maintained continuity of care for the people affected by these provider changes through a combination of provider engagement, expansion of internal services, workforce mobilisation and partnership working.
“However, this has resulted in a substantial increased reliance on agency staffing, particularly within Oban and Kintyre, and has created significant workforce and financial pressures.
“Further agency capacity was required to safely transition the remaining individuals currently supported by OCC. Three additional agency care staff have been identified for deployment within Oban to support this transition and maintain continuity of care. This mobilisation is currently underway.”
Cllr McFadzean added: “The HSCP has also explored alternative commissioned service provision, however, available capacity has been limited and, in several instances, providers have been unable to meet demand or have proposed costs that exceed current agency arrangements.
“The HSCP is now actively considering the expansion of its in-house service provision. This will result in increased costs and indicates that the very high-risk rating associated with the sustainability of services is appropriate and requires careful consideration throughout budget-setting and service change projects.
“To support workforce sustainability and reduce accommodation expenditure associated with agency staffing, the HSCP is progressing the leasing of three properties within Kintyre and one additional property within Oban.
“These arrangements are expected to provide more cost-effective accommodation solutions and contribute to reducing overall agency-related expenditure.”
