Home care services to be cut back in Lanarkshire due to Covid-19 pressure on NHS
Families are being asked to take on more responsibility for caring for loved ones
People using home care services in Lanarkshire are being warned their support could be cut back because of the pressures on local NHS services.
Health bosses are asking families to do more to help look after service users so they can concentrate Care at Home and Home Support on the most vulnerable.
They say it's a combination of the increase in Covid patients in hospital and the number of staff who're having to self isolate.
Ross McGuffie, chief officer, Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire, said: “This is the most challenging point for staff delivering safe, effective healthcare across the whole of health and social care since the pandemic started.
Care services facing 'major challenges'
“Both partnerships are working closely with each other, NHS Lanarkshire and both councils to keep patients and service users as safe as possible.
"We have recruited more than 100 new staff across the North partnership, however the level of pressure the whole health and social care system is under means that we’re still facing major challenges in how we deliver services.
“Care at Home/Home Support have worked tirelessly through the pandemic, however staffing constraints and increasing demand means we must ensure services are delivered in as safe a way as possible for the service users and our staff.”
Marianne Hayward, interim chief officer, South Lanarkshire Health & Social Care Partnership, said: “The pressures being experienced across the whole health and social care system are exceptional.
Families asked to do more
“The current circumstances have forced us to move to critical service delivery across all areas. This means we are prioritising our services for the most vulnerable.
“This will result in discussions with service users and their families/carers about reductions in care packages where it is safe to do so and identifying support so that the most vulnerable people continue to receive critical services.
“We understand people are tired and frustrated as the pandemic continues to disrupt staffing levels and the way services are delivered. Their understanding and support for our staff has been very much welcomed and we thank them for their compassion and help.
Judith Park, director of acute services, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “The sustained pressure we are seeing across our three acute hospitals is showing no signs of easing. In fact, the pressures on our hospitals are as severe as at any time in the whole pandemic.
“Covid numbers in our hospitals are rising and this is an additional pressure while we are trying to recover services and treat patients who have planned operations.
“Pressures on our staff, and those in our two partnerships, is also a concern and they are struggling to cope with the sharp rise in demand.
Pressure on A&E
“It is essential that people think about whether they really need to attend A&E which is intended for those with life-threatening injuries. There are a number of different options open to people to ensure they see the right person at the right place.”
Residents across Lanarkshire are being advised to use the NHS inform website to access advice on common symptoms, guidance for self-help and where to go if further medical care is needed, and contact their GP during the day for appointments or over-the-phone advice.
Call 111 if you think you need A&E but it is not life-threatening or during out of hours, when you are too ill to wait for their GP practice to open, or for worsening symptoms of COVID-19.
More information on COVID-19 can be found here.