Tag: EIJB

‘Devastating’: Care workers launch campaign to save Edinburgh’s council care homes

UNISON, the trade union for social care, has launched a campaign with care staff to save care council run care homes in Edinburgh. 

The campaign follows proposals put forward by Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board to close Clovenstone, Ferrylee, Ford’s Road and Jewel House Care Homes. Furthermore, Drumbrae will also close as a care home and switch to hospital-based complex clinical care.

The proposals mean large scale disruption for care residents and 270 care home posts will be deleted and a further 160 care home jobs put at risk.  

Care staff are in the process of writing to Edinburgh City Council leader councillor Adam McVey as part of UNISON’s on-going campaign to step in and save these council run care homes.

UNISON are also running an online petition to show councillors the depth of feelings of residents, staff, and those in the wider community. Over 100 people signed the petition in one day. Further campaign action and demonstrations are planned.

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Tom Connolly UNISON City of Edinburgh branch secretary said: “Closing four care homes, and changing the role of another, without proper and meaningful consultation is wrong. 

“It is devastating for care home’s residents. Its also insensitive to staff who have put the health and wellbeing of care residents before themselves and their families throughout this pandemic.  Caring for our vulnerable elderly is a vital job, care homes are essential and care staff deserve support from all of us.”

Greig Kelbie, regional organiser said: “We need the support of the Scottish Government to start planning and financing the next generation of modern fit-for-purpose care homes and Edinburgh councillors should stand up for council run care homes.

“Making these decisions without a fully costed plan on how community care and care at home would be an adequate replacement is a dangerous precedent to set.

Scotland’s care system already relies too heavily on for-profit care homes. Edinburgh can buck that trend by supporting council-run care homes that focus on providing quality care not making of money.  I urge everyone to back UNISON’s campaign to Save Our Care Homes, and sign, and leave a message, on our online petition.”

Care home staff at Fords Road

David Harrold, UNISON’S Service Conditions Convenor, met with staff from Ford’s Road Care Home yesterday and said afterwards: “Staff are united in their opposition to closures, they see no sense or long-term value in the proposals put forward by the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board to close Clovenstone, Ferrylee, Ford’s Road and Jewel House Care Homes when it is clear there is no alternative services that can take on the responsibilities and workloads in their absence”.

The meeting at Ford’s Road Care Home was well attended with staff expressing their frustration at their employer’s attitude.

One attendee asked how he can receive the £500 government bonus last month, then be told the following that his future employment is in doubt! Another asked why councillors who have praised them throughout the pandemic and lockdown should now be so silent.

Despite this frustration their dedication to those in their care remains. UNISON ask that the public acknowledge this, by sending a clear message to both the Council and IJB that care home staff deserve better and that Edinburgh needs a viable care home system not just for today’s residents for the future generations.

UNISON’s online Edinburgh City Save our Care homes petition here:

Edinburgh City – Save Our Care Homes | Megaphone UK Edinburgh City – Save Our Care Homes | Megaphone UK

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Comments on why people have signed the online petition include:

  • “Our elderly should be looked after not thrown aside where are they going to put the residents” – Tracey M.
  • “My mother receives care in an Edinburgh council care home. The place and staff as fantastic. I know the confusion that is caused by moving long term residents.” – Stewart D.
  • “Need council run care homes not everyone can afford private care” – Sharon S.

“First step on a long journey” – EIJB strategic plan approved

Ambitious plans for redefining health and social care services in Edinburgh have been published.

Edinburgh health and social care partnership

The Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB), which oversees the delivery of services which support the wellbeing of adults in the Capital, says it will radically transform the way Edinburgh delivers its health and social care services over the next three year planning cycle and beyond. Continue reading “First step on a long journey” – EIJB strategic plan approved

Funding cuts crisis: Voluntary Sector Forum meets this morning

Forth & Inverleith Voluntary Sector Forum meets this morning (Monday 18th February) from 9:30 – 11.30am at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre. 

Forum members will discuss funding cuts of over £600,000 to local projects and will consider the impact this will have on the community. A plan for a local voluntary sector response will also developed at the meeting.

“You might as well build an abbattoir at the top of Pennywell Road: we’re being put to the sword”

Funding Cuts: When all else fails, order a report … or two

Campaigners representing local community organisations affected by impending cuts to Health and Social Care grants put their case for continued funding to the North West Localities Committee last week.

The projects were told that the Locality Committee is in no position to restore lost funding, however, and councillors committed only to call for reports into the EIJB’s grant funding process.

In particular, officers were tasked to look at activity (or lack of it) to support projects affected by discontinued funding since the decision was made in December. The reports will also analyse the funding spend to determine whether or not North West has been impacted more severely than other localities.

While it’s important that lessons are learned for the future, this action won’t help those projects who need support NOW, though: the Localities committee doesn’t meet again until 28th March – by which time projects will have had to issue redundancy notices to staff and, in some cases, look at closing projects down. Continue reading “You might as well build an abbattoir at the top of Pennywell Road: we’re being put to the sword”

How are cuts affecting your volunteers?

Will the EIJB Health & Social Care funding decisions affect your projects’ volunteers? Volunteer Edinburgh is keen to hear from you …

Following the announcement of the successful applicants to the Health and Social Care Grants programme in December, we know that a number of previously funded projects were not successful.

While we totally understand the current pressures that these project are under at the moment, we are very keen to try and quantify the impact on volunteering following the loss of these valued and important services.

If your project is impacted by the decisions of the EIJB and your project currently involves volunteers we would really like to hear from you.

Please contact Paul Wilson by email here.

North Edinburgh Save our Services: sign the petition!

A new 38degrees petition, “NorthEdinburgh#saveourservices” is now available online.  Continue reading North Edinburgh Save our Services: sign the petition!

Funding Cuts: Greenspace Trust forced to end community gardens support

Edinburgh & Lothian Greenspace Trust is another high-profile casualty of the EIJB Health & Social Care grants process: 

We have an important announcement in regards to our community garden activities. As part of the recent Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board funding round we have unfortunately missed out on securing ongoing funding to continue the community garden programme. 

Over the last 8 years, the Community Garden Development officers have been involved in the set up and establishment of over 40 community gardens in Edinburgh and the Lothians. The input from the Officers has been instrumental for offering support, signposting volunteers, and helping build the confidence of the people running the gardens

After eight years we will be saying good bye to the role of Community Garden Development Officers here at ELGT. While this is a sad time for us, we want to reflect on the brilliant work by the people who have been involved in making Edinburgh a greener and happier place to be.

Some success stories that we have been particularly proud to be a part of are:

  • African and Caribbean Christian Fellowship at Carlton Hill -Developed a unique community space next to the Nelson Monument
  • Cairn Housing Association at Madelvic Square, Granton – Roof garden created for the residents enabling them to socialise outdoors
  • Ravencroft Teen+ in Gilmerton-Worked with cared for teenages to encourage them to be outdoors more.
  • Whinpark Medical Centre – Created a garden for people within the community
  • Drylaw Young Persons Centre – Encourage young people to learn about food and how to cook it.
  • North Edinburgh Dementia Care, Seagrove Centre-Ran fun sessions to help them enjoy being outside
  • Penumbra in Gilmore Place-Encouraged social interact with people recovering from poor mental health
  • The Action Group at Leith Links -Helping people with learning difficulties to live independently by developing their skills.
  • Pilton Equalities Project: Developed an outdoor space for them to socialise (below).

Over the years we have had lots of very positive feedback:

“I just want to say a big thank you for all your support with the project, it’s been really enjoyable (and educational)” – Ryan , Drylaw Young Persons Centre

“Very helpful with members, getting everyone involved and doing it in a fun manner!, Members has a great time planting, encouraged them to be social and reminisce about their Gardening Days. Great Activity!” – Seagrove Centre.

‘I found the gardening sessions very therapeutic’ – The Action Group.

We will still have the online community gardening map on our website, for people to find their nearest community garden, but the change will be that they need to contact the garden directly.

This will be the same for potential volunteers as there will be no one at ELGT who is responsible for matching up volunteers with gardens.

We will also direct people to Social Farm and Garden who have great resources on their website for people who wish to start up their own community garden, the link is here

We are in the process of seeking funding elsewhere to enable the work to continue but if anyone has any suggested sources that could be suitable then please get in touch through info through info@elgt.org.uk

Donate Online here
Donate by text:
To give £10 Text ELGT01 £10 to 70070
To give £4 Text ELGT01 £4 to 70070

 

£4.5 million boost to tackle pressure on city’s health and social care

A £4.5m fund to help reduce both waiting times for assessments and delayed discharges in the capital has been approved by the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB). The one-off allocation will support the work of the newly established assessment and review board to help alleviate the most urgent pressures and will also improve business processes.

Continue reading £4.5 million boost to tackle pressure on city’s health and social care