The Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People has today welcomed Edward Mountain MSP’s ‘Time to Talk’ campaign, which aims to enhance home care provision, improve wellbeing and reduce the isolation of home care recipients.
Earlier this week NHS Highland announced plans to enhance home care provision by first setting up a pilot scheme in Nairn which, if successful, could be rolled out across North Highland.
This development follows Edward Mountain MSP’s lobbying through his ‘Time to Talk’ campaign, which launched last year.
At its launch, the ‘Time to Talk’ campaign won the support of two of the region’s largest care providers, Highland Home Carers Ltd and Home Care Scotland.
During Portfolio Questions at the Scottish Parliament, Edward Mountain MSP asked:
“Does the Cabinet Secretary agree with me that the ‘time and task’ model of commissioning social care for elderly people, which sometimes involves little more than a 20 minute daily visit, should be scrapped as it prevents carers and the recipients of care from having time to talk?
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People replied:
“I’m aware that Mr Mountain has had discussions around a Time to Talk campaign and that he, as far as I understand, announced at the end of last year.
“He raises a very fair point about our ability to ensure that we are looking after people and ensuring people receive good care. I think that is something we can all agree should be done right across the Chamber.
“People may have different ideas about how that can be done and the different models that can be used on that, but I am sure the work that Mr Mountain is doing in his campaign will lead in very well to the work we are all wanting to achieve across the Chamber to ensure that people get the care that they rightly deserve and should rightly have within their homes. I am sure Mr Mountain will continue his work on that campaign and inform the Scottish Government on exactly how we should do that.”
Following Portfolio Questions, Edward Mountain MSP commented:
“Enhancing home care provision is an issue that goes beyond party politics. I therefore welcome the constructive approach the Scottish Government is taking by welcoming the Time To Talk campaign.
“Carers and those they look after need a more personable system of home care to be created. A care model which aims to improve not only physical needs but also prioritises wellbeing will ultimately help to reduce the isolation and loneliness of home care recipients.
Home care providers want to see this change happen and I look forward to the Scottish Government working with NHS Highland and my campaign to ensure home care is enhanced across our region.”
