Home Care Workers Were the Front line Service in the Big Freeze

18 January, 2010 - 10:34 — admin

 

Home Care Workers Were the Front line Service in the Big Freeze
Care in the Community was demonstrated effectively by the home carers in Barra who, in spite of the treacherous state of the side roads, continued to deliver home support to frail and elderly in the community who were housebound by the ice and snow.
 
The dedication and commitment of Care Services staff was recognised and acknowledged by Iain MacAulay, Director of social Work and Community Services who said that they were ‘a great example of commitment and dedication to their clients’. Staff were determined to look after their clients and, where at all possible, were able to offer the necessary care. Community Care services supporting elderly and vulnerable people continued to be provided to the majority of service users requiring care and support to live in their own homes despite the difficulties.  He said: “There were a small number of instances where staff were unable to reach homes due to adverse road and weather conditions.  In these cases, we are grateful for the continuing support, flexibility and understanding of family carers, friends and neighbours for their assistance”. Finding a unique way to travel to work was Nick Brannigan, who, having travelled by car as far as he could get, continued on skates to reach his housebound client.
 
Thanks are also due to all services staff, who in very difficult circumstances and with very little resources in the way of salt and grit, managed to keep the main roads passable until finally, on Monday night, additional supplies of grit and salt from Highland council came in through Uist and allowed them to open up the side roads, which had been like skating rinks since the onset of the Big Freeze.