Care continues in spite of extreme weather conditions

Home care workers and staff delivering meals to older, disabled and people who are ill are battling through snow and ice to make sure that this vulnerable group receive the care they need in the arctic weather conditions.

Staff across the whole of the council’s adult social care services and private and voluntary sector care services have been up against some really treacherous conditions, but have continued to make home visits to make sure that the people in their care are safe.

Councillor Peter Harrand, Leeds City Council’s executive board member with responsibility for adult health and social care today praised home care, meals on wheels deliverers and all workers who are battling ice and snow to make sure older, disabled or ill people are not made more vulnerable by the arctic weather conditions. He said:

“Staff all across the council’s adult social care service as well as those in private and voluntary sector care services have faced extremely difficult conditions making home visits through snow-covered side streets and slippery garden paths.

“Managers have worked hard to negotiate with customers when the times of visits have had to change because of unavoidable delays and the customers themselves have responded wonderfully because they realise the difficult conditions our staff have been working under.”

But he went on to say that there are many older people who do not receive council services and who may be having difficulty getting to shops, post offices and GP surgeries.

Councillor Harrand continued:
“I am asking all able-bodied people to think about their neighbours and people in their street. Do they need a hand with shopping? Is their home warm enough? I know that lots of us do this already, but the more of us that do it the better. Extremes of cold and bad weather can make a frail or disabled person become vulnerable very quickly and it’s important that we all do our bit to keep them safe from harm.”

ENDS
Additional info

Position in relation to adverse weather conditions w/c 4 January 2010

Day services
All council day centres are closed and severe weather protocols have been implemented. This means that
• All users and carers have been contacted to ensure that they have food, and warmth.
• Where it is not possible to make contact a home visit will be made by staff from the centre to ensure food and warmth is available.
• Centres are liaising with home care / community support to ensure that all needs are being met.

Residential care homes
So far the severe weather has not impacted on council-run residential care homes. Local managers are checking with staff on late or night shifts to ensure they can reach their place of work. Where necessary transport will be arranged to make sure staff can attend for their shift.

Community Support Service
• No scheduled visits are being cancelled without discussion with the customer and / or carer. Care is being taken to ensure no one needing personal care is left without a visit.
• Customers / relatives are being kept informed and updated of the situation regarding any change to the times.
• Support administrators are contacting customers if there is likely to be a change to the times of their scheduled visits exceeding thirty minutes.

Help with meals and personal care is being offered to people who are not attending day centres.

For media enquiries, please contact;
Claire Macklam, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 395 1578
Email: claire.macklam@leeds.gov.uk