Home care workers express job fears

The workers who provide home based personal care for the elderly and infirm have hit out at the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) for reducing their patient case loads and as a result their working hours.

One of the out sourced contracted companies who provide this type of care in Londonderry is Partnership Care West. Michelle Donnell, who works for that organisation outlined her concerns to the Sentinel.

"People are currently not being sent home from hospital because no money is being released by the WHSCT for domiciliary care. It would probably actually be more expensive to keep people in hospital than provide home care.

"I have been down three calls since Christmas. Unfortunately, three people I looked after passed away, but the cases have not been replaced. This means my original 20 hours per week contract has been reduced to 12 hours," she said.

Whilst Michelle and other workers have concerns for their future employment it was stressed that their job involves a personal element because workers become attached to the people they look after.

"It's not just the workers who suffer here, but the people who are receiving care who are suffering more. Families are having to fill in the gap for care. And, those unfortunate enough not to have anyone to care for them are left on their own, left to fend for themselves," said Michelle.

The Sentinel spoke to four other domiciliary care workers with Partnership Care West who echoed Michelle Donnell's fears. Whilst the workers did not wish to be named they stated they believed that a shortfall in the WHSCT'S domiciliary care budget had resulted in the shortening of their hours.

One stated: "The Trust would normally release a funding block to the Partnership for a two year period. We have been told that the budget was over spent and is not being replaced. It is only going to get worse. This is not the fault of the company we work for but the Trust," she said.

The Sentinel addressed the workers' concerns to the WHSCT and a spokesperson for the organisation said: "During 2009/10 the Western Trust received a budget of approximately 24million to spend on domiciliary care. At the end of December 2009, this budget was overspent and the Trust sought to reduce this over expenditure by 250,000 between the start of February 2010 and 31 March 2010. The level of over expenditure reported at the end of February 2010 has shown reduction.

"The Trust achieved this by focusing any available domiciliary care resources towards those assessed as having critical levels of risk / need as defined within the Regional Access Criteria. This approach ensures resources are being directed towards those in greatest need. Patient and Client's key workers continually monitor and review all care packages and make adjustments according to the level of risk to ensure that all clients receive an appropriate service.

"The Trust hopes to receive additional investment for domiciliary care during 2010/11 to enable it to respond to the increasing levels of demand for this type of service linked to the changes within our aging population.

"It is important to note that demand for domiciliary care services continues to increase year on year and it is because of the Trust's efforts to address this need that it has incurred over expenditure in this area."

The Sentinel also asked the Trust how many older people in need of domiciliary care were currently in hospital.

The spokesperson continued: "Despite these constraints, the Western Trust is achieving the best performance across Northern Ireland against the Department of Health's 48hr Complex and 7 day delayed discharge targets. The Trust is currently achieving 95% against a target of 90% for 48hr complex discharges and is achieving 98% against a target of 100% for the 7 day delayed discharge target.

"As of April 16, three people are awaiting discharge from a Western Trust hospital in the 65+ age group. Anyone who is admitted into hospital and has an existing care package in place will have that care package held in place to ensure it is there for them at the time of their discharge.

"Domiciliary care is delivered by the Trust through its own in-house service and through a range of Independent Sector Providers. If a staff member working for an independent sector provider has any concerns regarding their terms and condition they should contact their own employer.

"We would ask for the public to support all domiciliary care workers, who are working hard to provide services to patients and clients in this very challenging financial environment. The Trust is absolutely committed to ensuring that those most in need receive an appropriate service and will continue to lobby for additional resources to meet the increasing needs of older people."