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FIGHT AGAINST CUTS IN CARE AT HOME SERVICES:
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
Edinburgh Council intends to privatise 75% of the care
at home services within the next six years. At present
the split between Council home care and private agencies
is 50/50.This proposal means another 25% going to the
private sector.
They say this will save money. Experience shows that
agencies promise to deliver the service cheaper but
when they have the contracts, they demand more money.
The Councils often end up paying much more.
Meanwhile, Agency staff are paid appalling wages; are
sometimes untrained and unvetted.There is a high turnover
of staff. Everyone suffers!
As if the above wasn't bad enough, this proposal follows
a package of cuts implemented at the end of last year
which included;
Care at home to be restricted to those who meet critical
criteria and for hospital discharge. Once seen as not
critical, the service is withdrawn.
Only 1 hot meal a day - a frozen meal - 30 mins
The use of short 30 min and 15 min visits to be maximised.
Less time for care.
Shopping service withdrawn
A new care home built by the Council is now run by
a private company Four Seasons Two new care homes have
also been contracted to Four Seasons
Rushed service
Since these cuts have been implemented, staff are under
even more pressure to provide a service which is rushed,
leaving service- users with less choice and a service
that barely maintains a basic level of care.
The workforce is frustrated and demoralised as their
professionalism is being continually compromised UNISON
believes we need to campaign for a quality service for
our most vulnearable citizens. We know that once these
cuts and the increasing privatisation is made, we won't
get the service back.
We need your support.
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