Political opinion: Tygetshaugh residents must not be ignored

Tygetshaugh has delivered care to locals in Denny and Dunipace for over 40 years. I grew up just a few hundred yards away, I remember the facility being built, I walked by it every day on my return from school and have a very early memory of the dilapidated tennis courts that preceded it.

At the recent public meeting in Denny Library a packed room heard that residents are happy, the elderly and disabled people living at the centre have a degree of independence, but with on-site help when required. 83 year old Betty spoke on behalf of all residents praising the care they received daily. Cllr Brian McCabe emotionally spoke of the way his mother was looked after before she passed away. Residents have clearly built up real community bonds, and have strong relationships with the staff. Their families are satisfied that loved ones are receiving the support they need, with a level of care personalised to their loved ones need. Staff are able to spend time with residents, help with laundry and other minor tasks when needed, and offer emotional support that simply cannot be quantified.

Yet faced with falling budgets and a funding crisis the Integrated Joint Board’s local social care partnership (a body of Council and NHS members designed to help improve local service delivery) have decided that the years of caring relationships and support should be replaced by a private contract. A contract designed to maximise efficiency and reduce costs, but with little concern for wider emotional needs. Critically, they have done so with minimal direct consultation and seemingly little concern for the lives of Tygetshaugh residents.

When local Councillors Kelly and McCabe sought to bring the matter forward for scrutiny they felt sidelined, residents felt dismissed and all in all the decision making process has been found wanting. It’s clear decisions have been made without those affected being meaningfully involved, with decisions not communicated to residents in a timely manner.

I’m glad it was eventually recognised the consultation into the decision had fallen short, and would praise those who took this forward within the IJB, but not enough is now being done to address this fact. Too many residents and their families are left with concerns around the level of care they will receive in the future. Put simply they feel they have not been listened to, and there is a lack of answers as to how laundry, refuse and the use of the communal space will be managed.

Falkirk Council Housing officers were not present at the public meeting, but Housing Convenor and SNP election candidate, Cllr Gary Bouse, has previously dismissed concerns over communal space stating that these issues are not ones for Councillors, but are ‘operational matters’ to be passed on to council officers.

The ambiguity on exactly what level of support residents will receive has gone on for far too long. The critical issue of the common room, so vital for the community spirt in the facility, must be addressed. It is an issue facing residents at other facilities across the Falkirk Council area and it requires a clear policy direction by Councillors.

That the SNP Administration ruling Falkirk Council seems so unaware and unprepared to address concerns over the future management of Tygetshaugh and other similar facilities shows just how disjointed this process has become, and the attempt by Cllr Bouse to stand above the decision making process simply cannot be justified.

Falkirk Council must urgently address the matter and a clear timeline is urgently required setting out how resident and family concerns will be addressed.

Tygetshaugh residents deserve to be listed to, they deserve answers, and they deserve dignity. This process has undoubtedly failed them, and this must be urgently rectified.

Paul Godzik is the Labour Candidate for Falkirk West. He is a former Councillor on City of Edinburgh Council and was brought up in Denny and Dunipace.