August 19th, 2023Your say… ombudsman an option in home care service woes

For the 35 years I have lived, worked and volunteered in this region, there was always a focus on delivering quality community services, I know this because I worked at our community health for many years and helped deliver them. I have also advocated for equal access to all the shire information and support services for people living with a disability and the elderly, of which I am now one.
Unfortunately, the issue with no monitoring or accountability for the outsourcing of delivery home care is just another part of the bigger picture now developing in the area. Services for the elderly and people living with disability in our shire appear to be being left to rot.
I am also very concerned about the future for older and disabled residents in the shire basically being abandoned, which I think are also your concerns and the no response from these services, your story sort of confirms. It greatly troubles me that it appears our council has shifted in its focus from providing inclusion and equal access for the elderly and those living with disabilities, by outsourcing home care services.
Unfortunately by outsourcing these services, they have no level of responsibility in ensuring elderly residents and those living with disabilities in the shire get quality support services and this results in the issue you have raised.
This shire has very much prided itself on being pro-active and inclusive of all people, something we are all proud of, but I feel our inclusiveness is now being limited and the elderly and disabled appear to be the victims.
I have 40 years’ experience in social work and disability care and would be happy to volunteer to do light housework for people who are not receiving the care they should, or just to go and have a cuppa and a chat. I am also able to write letters of complaint and reminding services of their obligations, but I no longer have a current police check or Working with Children check. I was really inspired by your concern about the shire’s vulnerable residents and would like to help, but not sure how and would like to thank you for your concern and activism for vulnerable residents in our shire. Clearly the shire still has brave residents who stand up for those who cannot and I would be happy to assist if I can.

From Karen Worsley, Wheatsheaf