Moray social care services under "significant pressure" amid staffing challenges
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
SOCIAL care services in Moray are under "significant pressure" amid staffing challenges both regionally and nationally.
Health and Social Care Moray (HSCM) says its staff, as well as those employed by external partner providers, are currently working in challenging circumstances leading to a renewed call to the wider community for continued understanding and support.
HSCM says that difficulties with recruitment and retention of social care staff means its ability in responding to the rising demand for care has been hampered.
Simon Bokor-Ingram, HSCM Chief Officer, says staff are constantly adapting to maintain services and start new care packages, but added that this can sometimes result in unavoidable changes to people’s current services.
Mr Bokor-Ingram said: “Our priority is to ensure we can maintain delivery of high quality, safe and effective care and support for our most vulnerable residents.
"We must continue to work flexibly and adapt services to enable us to respond to surges in demand and changing pressures within the care system.
“We recognise any changes can be difficult for people receiving a service and their families, as well as the staff delivering care, and we will always involve people in discussions and decisions about their individual care and support.
"We understand the strain many families are under and greatly appreciate their ongoing support in what continues to be an exceptionally testing time.”
A national recruitment drive has been launched to encourage more people to apply for roles within adult social care.
The campaign focuses on the difference someone working in adult social care can make to people’s lives.
Mr Bokor-Ingram is hopeful that it will help ease some of the challenges they are currently facing.
He added: "Our thanks go to all those already working in the social care profession for their incredible commitment and ongoing efforts and we hope the campaign draws more people to consider if a career in social care might be right for them.
"Our workforce levels are less than we need right now, and along with our partners we are continuing to take local action to address our vacancies."
More information can be found here.
