A range of measures is currently being activated to prioritise community health and care provision to the most vulnerable people.

In light of the ongoing challenges caused by the pandemic, South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) had put in place contingency plans to ensure services could be prioritised to the most vulnerable, if necessary. Those plans must now go live as our services experience escalating pressures due to record Covid-19 numbers and related staffing challenges. 

Soumen Sengupta, Director of Health and Social care explained that the most significant risk that is being managed concerns staffing numbers as the infection rates rise. Although this is having an impact on all services, this is particularly pronounced in the Care at Home workforce.  

Mr Sengupta explained: “In common with other areas in Scotland, our Care at Home service has experienced a sharp increase in staff absences over the festive period due to sickness, Covid-19 positivity and self-isolation.

“We have been in close dialogue with our service users and partners in the run up to and throughout the festive period. Due to the considerable disruption we are experiencing, we are now making necessary and temporary changes to the way we deliver our service so we can continue to prioritise those with the greatest need.”

Care at Home staff are currently undertaking an exercise to assess the needs and risks to each service user with existing care packages. Where temporary changes can be safely made, discussions will then take place with the service user, their family and/or friends.

Liam Purdie, Chief Social Work Officer, added: “We hugely value the ongoing support of the family and/or friends of service users. We may need to amplify our appeal to them to provide continued help for a short period until our staffing position improves.

“Crucially, our ongoing discussions are based on ensuring our service user’s health and wellbeing prior to any change taking place.”

The current pressures will also have an impact on the ability of Care at Home services to support hospital discharges. The Care at Home service will continue to work closely with hospital colleagues through what continues to be a difficult period.

As staff continue to work around the clock with an unmitigated focus of keeping people safe, the HSCP has renewed its appeal for forbearance and patience. 

“I completely appreciate how frustrating and potentially worrying this time may be for many people” continued Mr Purdie. 

“We would ask people in receipt of Care at Home services in South Lanarkshire to bear with us – our teams are working extremely hard and we will be in touch with you directly if the position is likely to affect your care personally. 

“People’s support and forbearance where minor disruptions are unavoidable is appreciated. Any short-term changes are absolutely necessary to protect those most at risk and the most vulnerable in the community.

“Overall, we would also ask local residents to play their part by ensuring they access the right help at the right time to support health and care services during this exceptionally challenging time.” 

 Accessing right care and the right time 
 
    Anyone who needs emergency help should call 999. If it is not an emergency, call NHS 24 on 111 

    There is help and advice on NHS Lanarkshire’s website including Ask the expert which offers a range of services that local healthcare professionals across Lanarkshire can provide. You can go directly to the right healthcare professional for the help you need when you need it, without having to see your GP first or face a lengthy wait in A&E. (Note to editors: full link https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/experts/

    The NHS Inform website also provides advice on self-care, NHS 24 can provide urgent health advice out-of-hours and your local pharmacy is the first port of call for minor ailments. This can also help free up appointments for those who need them. Note to editors: full link: https://www.nhsinform.scot/