Culloden and Ardersier Ward Forum

 

Community Care Plan Consultation

 

Thursday 26th August 2010
Croy Village Hall, Croy

 

Present
Councillor John Ford (Chairman)
Councillor Roddy Balfour
Councillor Glynis Sinclair
Councillor Bob Wynd
Bill Alexander, Chief Operating Officer, Social Work Service, Highland Council
Maria Throp, Development Worker, Highland Community Care Forum
Charles Stephen, Ward Manager, Highland Council
Representatives from:
Ardersier and Petty Community Council (3)
Croy and Culloden Moor Community Council (4)
Inverness South Community Council (2)
Smithton and Culloden Community Council (1)
Strathdearn Community Council (1)
Members of the public 8
Press
John Dolan, Nairnshire Telegraph

 

Agenda


Introduction
Introductions by Councillor Ford followed by presentations from Bill Alexander and Maria Throp (see attached).

 

This stimulated general discussion with questions and answers;

Q. Why are there so many emergency hospital admissions?
A. GP’s often have no other service to offer.


Q. What is the financial figure of self- funded care packages?
A. That is private information that the public services do not have.


Q. Why are we raising the retirement age?
A. This will be to cope with the changing demographic profile of an ageing population.


Q. We need better dial-a-bus services in rural areas for clients with disabilities.
A. Nairn has a commercial dial-a-bus and Ardersier and Croy has a Community Transport bus. The Shopmobility bus can also be made available.


Q. Why is there not more sheltered housing in the Highlands?
A. The Housing Service monitors demand. Highland Council is committed to providing 600 new houses. Sheltered Housing, though, only has support from a Warden and no personal care provision. The Council is currently providing a pilot scheme of housing with additional support at Dornie. There is need in particular areas and not ‘one size fits all.’


General points
• Many emergency hospital admissions do not have medical care needs. We should provide more ‘care at home’ for appropriate short term periods to support prevention of hospital admissions.
• More respite care for carers is required.
• Their needs to local realignment of care budgets to eliminate regional disparity. Inverness has been underfunded relative to its population.
• Sheltered housing (and other housing) requires appropriate interior design to provide for people living with disability. Many do not have enough room inside for wheelchairs, etc. to function.
• Lack of knowledge about welfare benefits. All first line staff should be trained to signpost clients regarding appropriate welfare benefits. The money advice system needs to be more holistic and accessible to those who need it.
• Single points of contact are required for people trying to access services.


Councillor Ford thanked those presenting and all for attending. The Ward Forum closed at 9.25pm.