The Western Trust is set to reform its home help service across Fermanagh and Omagh in 2016-2017.

The Trust is “finalising the approach that will be taken” and has told a local Councillor that the new home care model “will see a move to the development of teams of staff delivering care to a collective caseload of service users within a defined geographic area.”

It has been claimed that staff are being removed from their regular clients and new carers are being drafted in to replace them, which is reportedly causing anxiety among elderly people.
The Western Trust told The Impartial Reporter: “All staff will be engaged individually within the process of reform with full consideration given to their existing regular working pattern and the geographic location they currently work in.”

Many older people are “fearful of what the future might hold if any care hours are reduced,” according to Councillor McCann.
The Sinn Fein Councillor, who chairs the Fermanagh and Omagh Health and Social Care Group contacted Vincent Ryan, the Western Trust’s Assistant Director of Primary Care and Older People’s Services seeking clarity on the reforms.

In response, Mr. Ryan stated: “The Trust will shortly commence the reform of its home care delivery service across Omagh and Fermanagh. The Trust is currently finalising the approach that will be taken and I can assure you that service users and staff will be directly involved with regard to any planned changes.
“The Trust is required to ensure all services it provides are effective and efficient against the backdrop of demographic growth which continues to place growing demands on our services including domiciliary care.
“The model of service delivery that will be implemented will see a move to the development of teams of staff delivering care to a collective caseload of service users within a defined geographic area. 
“Those availing of this service will have qualifying needs which are of a level which has been assessed as being either critical or substantial which is in line with the DHSSPS fair access criteria.
“The implementation of this model of service provision within the Northern Sector of the Trust has been completed with associated efficiencies delivered.”

Councillor McCann said he is “deeply concerned” about the Trust’s reform plans. “I have spoken to those who receive this service and their families over the past few weeks and they are fearful of the consequences of any changes to the care packages they receive,” he said.
According to Councillor McCann, home care reform, plus proposals to close Rosslea, Dromore, and Gortin day care centres will increase demand for domiciliary care.

He concluded: “In their efforts to save a few pounds, the Western Trust are again targeting the most vulnerable in our society. I would call on them to publish their intended reform proposals as a matter of urgency.”
The Western Trust spokeswoman stated: “The reform of home care services sits within the Trust’s overall reform plan which has now reached the third phase of its implementation.  The Western Trust has already published the overall reform plan containing this reform proposal.”