Anger as Glasgow pensioner's care will be reduced at Christmas

Avril Wilson, 78, and her mother Jean Findlay were stunned when a letter from Glasgow City Council’s Health and Social Care Partnership arrived to say that the pensioner’s level of home care is being lowered on December 25 and 26, as well as January 1 and 2.

Jean, who has her daughter and granddaughter living with her, currently receives four daily visits from carers as she is unable to get out of bed or be moved without specialist assistance. Because of the cut, she now faces being left in a chair all day at her home until staff return later at night to tend to her.

However, council bosses have claimed that they made the decision to reduce the level of care on the basis of information provided to them by the family.

Avril has labelled the decision as 'cruel' and says it leaves her mum, from Newlands in the city's South side, at her most vulnerable on days when she needs expert assistance the most.

Avril and Jean (Image: Gordon Terris)

She said: “My mum can’t weight-bear on her own and needs help to get around. She suffered a stroke at 86 and her health has been compromised ever since. I can’t move her without support, the help that the carers provide is a lifeline to us.

"I need to visit my son on Christmas Day for a few hours, which leaves me in an impossible position with my mum.

“To leave families struggling at what is meant to be a joyful time of the year is not right. I’m sure it won’t just be my mum who has received a letter like this either."

The letter from the Health and Social Care Partnership says that Jean’s service is being reduced to a visit early in the morning and one later at night on all four days.

Avril with the letter sent to inform the family of the care cuts. (Image: Gordon Terris)

Avril says she will be unable to manage her mum’s care on her own and claims such decisions are putting an additional burden on families,

She said: "I was shocked when we received the letter and I want to know why this move has been made. This needs to be sorted out as it is causing so much stress for us as a family.

“I simple can’t manage my mum’s complex needs on my own, it takes at least two trained carers to move her because she is so frail."

Avril says she has sympathy for care workers who are working over the holiday period and has called on the council to do more to support them.

She added: “I’m not having a go at the staff, I’ve seen first-hand how they are working flat out, and I can understand why people are leaving the care profession with what is expected of them. I’m not criticising the workers but I don't feel that the arrangement put in place for my mum is acceptable.

Avril and Jean. (Image: Gordon Terris)

“I’m hoping the council will reconsider and do the right thing, but as we stand I’m left worrying about how we are going to cope over Christmas and New Year – and I don’t think I will be alone.”

The council says that they are doing their best to support families at a time when their resources are under strain.

A spokeswoman for Glasgow’s Health and Social Care Partnership said: “We’re sure no-one will begrudge our dedicated Home Care staff a rest on the public holidays after working tirelessly throughout the year. The Christmas and New Year holiday is no different to any other.

"There will be more than 24,000 Home Care visits carried out in total over the four public holidays by 1,000 staff who will be on duty to provide care for the most vulnerable.

“As is usual practice, we’ve written to our service users and their families in advance about their individual care arrangements. The level of service will be no different to last year’s festive period.”