Falkirk MP calls for 'urgent' meeting with council chief over ongoing issues at housing complex for elderly
An MP has requested an urgent meeting with Falkirk Council’s chief executive over ongoing concerns about the outsourcing of social care provision for elderly and vulnerable residents.
Euan Stainbank has written to council chief Kenneth Lawrie over the situation at Tygetshaugh Court in Dunipace.
At the end of last month, Falkirk Council staff members were removed from providing care packages at the complex, replacing them with private companies in a bid to save £150,000.
The decision had been taken this time last year by the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) but was delayed following an outcry from residents, their families, politicians and members of the public.
In his letter, the Falkirk MP highlights that a number of concerns raised in recent months about the operational progression of the outsourcing process were still unresolved at the point when care packages were transferred.
He said residents had been placed “in a precarious position”, causing much distress to families.
The MP has called now called on Falkirk Council and the HSCP to urgently assess the adequacy of the new arrangements and ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents.
Mr Stainbank said: “The ongoing operational process surrounding the outsourcing of care raises serious concerns. The situation has created unacceptable uncertainty for those living at Tygetshaugh Court.
“Residents and their families deserve clarity and reassurance that the transition is safe, consistent and of the highest possible standard.
“I have written to the chief executive of Falkirk Council today to ensure that the council and the HSCP urgently address the issues being raised by residents and families and provide the transparency that residents and their families rightly expect.”
He was joined in raising concerns by Holyrood Labour candidate for Falkirk West, Paul Godzik, who said: “The residents of Tygetshaugh and their relatives have been treated disgracefully by the operational handling of this case by both Falkirk Council and the HSCP.
"They have genuine and valid concerns, but these are being ignored. They need clear answers on all outstanding issues.”
Residents and their relatives say many issues are still outstanding. At the weekend the newly installed door entry system was not working properly and led to one person’s medication delivery being left hanging from a door handle.
While contractors and the new care providers were in the building, the main entry door was left open with one relative saying: “Housing are aware of the reasons for keeping this main door closed due to the safety of residents who wander and may get out due to their dementia. As staff are no longer on site to guide these residents back to their home it is becoming another real issue.
"We were told this building would still be a secure building by housing but sadly their officers think it all okay to leave main door open.
"Housing might say it was the contractors working in building but so were housing officers all last week based in office at Tygetshaugh who walked past the plant pot and never corrected this.”
A spokesperson for Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Ongoing monitoring and support arrangements are in place to ensure any issues emerging after the transition to new care providers at Tygetshaugh can be responded to immediately.
“We are in frequent contact with tenants, families, and their new providers to support this process and will investigate any issues raised to us.