Protest over Bute dementia care cuts
Care Workers To Demonstrate Against Bute Dementia Care Cuts.
It’s a stark reminder once again in this time of austerity and political uncertainty that the real challenges in our local communities haven’t gone away and we are urging the HSCP to think again about the impact of these cuts and to preserve these vital jobs says GMB.
GMB Scotland members delivering vital dementia care across the Isle of Bute will demonstrate tomorrow (Wednesday 13 July) against the decision by Argyll & Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) to close a day service centre.
Plans to close the Thomson Court Centre in Rothesay will result in the loss of one senior care worker and two social care workers, who provide support for up to sixty service users seven days a week through respite at the centre and home visits.
GMB Scotland understands the HSCP will fill the void left by the closure with befriender visits that will see dementia sufferers receive their care at home only but have yet to fully inform service users and their families of the proposals.
HSCP locality and project managers have told staff the cuts will be subject to a six month consultation but a timeframe for the start of this process has yet to be determined.
GMB members will demonstrate from 11.30am on Wednesday, 13th July 2016 at the address as follows:
Thomson Court Care Home
Townhead
Rothesay
Idle of Bute
PA20 9JH
Brian Johnstone, GMB Scotland Organiser, said: “There has been no meaningful consultation and engagement from the HSCP with the workers, the service users and with the wider community and that’s totally unacceptable.
These cuts may seem negligible but our members make a significant contribution every day to the quality of life for some of the most vulnerable people in the local community.
We want to highlight the short-sighted nature of this decision but we also want to ensure the best welfare standards possible for the local service users and their families – that won’t happen if the service user is increasingly isolated at home.
It’s a stark reminder once again in this time of austerity and political uncertainty that the real challenges in our local communities haven’t gone away and we are urging the HSCP to think again about the impact of these cuts and to preserve these vital jobs.”
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Contact: GMB Scotland Organiser Brian Johnstone on 07515 199298 or Peter Welsh, GMB Scotland Communications on 07976 447077 or GMB press office on 07970 863411
