Older People Review of services consultation – running to 21 August 2009

Concerns have been raised about the events organised by Argyll and Bute Council to gauge the views of islanders about future provision of services for Older People and People with a Learning Disability. The review is looking at all aspects of service - care homes, day care, care at home , personal support, and supported accommodation across all of Argyll and Bute. The council have been seeking to consult with communities about the criteria it should use to guide its future investment. To that end 2 separate meetings were organised on Islay to enable the communities of the 2 islands to express their views.

These meetings were not well publicised, the advert in the Ileach for instance being barely legible and difficult to read for any one with less than perfect vision. There was little notice of these meetings and no support arrangements offered such as assistance with travel arrangements, support for parents and carers to free them from their care arrangements to be able to attend the meetings worry free. These are basic standards which the council has signed up to in their commitment to meeting National Standards on Community Engagement.

Few people if any attended these very important meetings which will inform councillors when they come to making key decisions about what the future of these services should look like in future - how many care home places are required? What should care at home services do for people? How close to home should services be provided? Who should own and operate these services in future?.. and other such issues.

Remember, these questions aren't just for people who use or might want to use these services now. The choices and investments councillors make now will shape these services for the next 10- 15 years and probably more. Think of when home help services or care homes were first set up and they are still running now!

The council are still open to written representation or people making their views known through on line surveys. You can access the material from the council's web site.

The CVS will try to get round different groups across the islands to garner views and report them back to the council - so if you want to find out more, contact us at the McTaggart Centre, School Street, Bowmore 810743 OR make use of the link below which will take you to the council web site page which explains more about the consultation and how you can still get involved
www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/content/socialworkservices/opconsultation2009/

Learning Disabilities Services Review

Still not too late to get involved. Contact the council or speak to your local CVS. Let your views be known!

The same issues which affected Older People service review also blighted the opportunity offered on Islay for people affected by Learning Disability. There appeared to be poor preparation for the event and no significant offer of support to travel arrangements or carer support offered to any individual or family who might have wanted to contribute.

It still isn't too late to get involved and have your say. It seems a little more difficult to find out who to speak to on these matters so it may be best to contact the local social work office in the first place who can either provide you with information or put you in touch with the right people.

Again, decisions taken now by councillors will shape services for the foreseeable future so make sure your views are heard.