Health chiefs stall on Cornerstone plan
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HEALTH chiefs have stalled over a controversial pilot scheme in Elgin to cut night-time care for vulnerable residents.
Outraged relatives have taken collective action against the plan to withdraw night-time "sleeping" staff and place just one office-based overnight responder on call for three Cornerstone-run homes, relying instead on "telecare sensors".
However, relatives received letters on Thursday, December 19, from Charles McKerron, interim integrated services manager at Health and Social Care Moray (HSCM), informing them that the 12-week overnight responder pilot will not now go ahead as planned in mid-January and that the partnership would review families' concerns.
The Moray Integrated Joint Board (MIJB) had approved the pilot in August after HSCM said the availability of care staff was an issue in Moray and the existing model of sleepover support was unsustainable.
The worried relatives feared the arrangement could place vulnerable Elgin residents at Hay Street, Quebec Place and Teindland Court at risk at night times.
Mr McKerron says in the letter: "I am writing to advise you that the pilot overnight responder service will not begin in mid-January as planned.
"Health and Social Care Moray will be taking time to review the concerns expressed by families during the recent series of meetings, by letter/email, in telephone conversations and through the media.
"We will be back in touch with you in the new year to provide a full update on the proposal for the pilot."
An information sheet was also enclosed to clarify details of the pilot, which had been compiled in response to questions put forward by families.
Health chiefs have been invited to attend a public meeting early in the new year on Friday, January 10, at The Laichmoray Hotel, at 11am, which was arranged before Mr McKerron's letter went out. Conservative Councillor Tim Eagle vowed to "seek answers" for the relatives when he attended their first public meeting on December 9.
Objectors remain concerned and want the plan dropped completely.
Anne Speake, secretary of the Elgin Enable branch, led the first meeting alongside relatives Libby Mitchell and Jenny Angus, from Aberdeen, and Liz McKay, from Inverness.
Miss Mitchell said on Thursday: "The letter says the pilot will not begin in mid-January as planned. It should never begin.
"It's ruined our Christmas. It's on my mind all the time. I'm worried about what they're going to do."
She added: "Why would you not talk to carers and families? There has been no consultation."
Mrs Speake said this week that care staffing problems should be tackled at government level. She said: "Until the worth of carers is recognised they'll continue to have trouble filling posts."
Cllr Eagle said: "It is great news to see that officers are prepared to sit down and listen to the deep concerns of relatives regarding the planned changes.
"I was delighted to be able to listen to these concerns and raise them with officers and will be continuing those discussions after the new year.
"Officers have stressed that they are happy to meet with and listen to all involved. I welcome the deferment of this trial and look forward to meeting with relatives and officers at the meeting planned in January."
