Proposals to cut back on overnight care services for vulnerable people with mental health issues have been slammed as “shocking” by support staff.
Workers at private firms contracted by Dundee’s Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) have been told they could lose out on shifts and wages as a result.
The number of staff on “sleepover” shifts on site at supported accommodation could be cut from two to one, with remote specialists available on call for more “difficult” situations.
Individuals in the care sector have privately expressed fears of a negative impact on the quality of care for those with mental health issues.
A source with knowledge of the proposed changes told the Tele: “People with mental health issues need people with them that they know and trust.
“These workers have built up relationships with the people they support. It’s absolutely shocking.
“To do this to people with mental health issues is disgraceful.”
It is believed the city council could trial the proposal in the DD4 postcode area, covering communities such as Whitfield, Fintry, Douglas and Craigie, later expanding elsewhere.
A spokesman for Dundee HSCP confirmed it was discussing the proposal with contractors.
He said: “At present, people with mental health issues in their own tenancies are supported by two staff overnight, one awake and one asleep.
“Under the pilot proposals, the member of staff on site who is awake would remain and be able to call on a specialist response service to help deal with difficult situations.
“Similar models are being used successfully in care homes and other care settings.
“At the moment we are still in the design and consultation phase and no decisions have been taken about when the pilot might be implemented.”
Families of those who have died following treatment or discharge at the Carseview Centre in Dundee have restated concerns about the independence of an inquiry into mental health services in Tayside. Pictured are Mandy McLaren, Malcolm and Karen Nichol (parents of Scott)
The families of Carseview patients who took their own lives have reiterated their calls for an inquiry independent of the NHS, saying it would encourage more folk to come forward.
Relatives continue to express cynicism over the investigation launched by NHS Tayside earlier this year, following several deaths of patients who had used the Carseview Centre in Dundee.
And they believe the fact the health board has been making announcements about the people who will lead the inquiry deprives it of true independence.
Mandy McLaren, whose son Dale Thomson died in January 2015 after a stay at Carseview, said: “Our issue is that it’s meant to be totally independent. It’s not the NHS’s inquiry – we fought for it.
“If it keeps announcing that it is appointing people, folk won’t trust this inquiry because the NHS looks like it is involved.
“The board has got to keep its nose out of this or it could stop people coming forward with experiences – which are good and bad – to see where things are going right and wrong.”
NHS Tayside has enlisted health and social care body the Alliance to engage with the public on the process.
However, Gillian Murray, whose uncle David Ramsay died in 2016, said the involvement of such bodies sent “mixed messages”.
She said: “A lot of parents are scared to put in any evidence in case it has an effect on their care. I’m not convinced of its independence.”
NHS Tayside chairman John Brown said: “NHS Tayside has made a commitment the inquiry will be truly independent and that is why the Alliance is leading the involvement of patients, families, the public, the third sector and mental health charities.
“Under the expert leadership of the Alliance, patients, service users, families and third sector and charity colleagues have been able to play a critical role already by participating in the stakeholder participation group.
“The first milestone was the appointment of David Strang as independent chairman. Mr Strang was appointed after consultation with patients and families in the stakeholder participation group.
“He is leading the inquiry entirely independently and has been discussing the scope and terms of reference with a number of stakeholders, including the stakeholder participation group.
“All of these arrangements have been made to ensure the inquiry is entirely independent.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “NHS Tayside has assured ministers this inquiry will be independent. Families will be fully involved throughout the inquiry, which will be open and transparent and include a call for public evidence.”
NHS Tayside staff are being offered support before a BBC documentary is aired claiming to ‘lift the lid’ on a troubled Dundee mental health facility.
Former patients at the Carseview Centre tell the makers of Breaking Point they were “pinned to the floor in agony and bullied” on the hospital’s wards as well as claiming illegal drugs are rife.
It comes as an inquiry into the state of mental health services in Tayside is launched after claims the psychiatric care unit failed suicidal patients.
It also comes just a day after a fatal accident inquiry into the death of Dale Thomson, who committed suicide after discharging himself from Carseview in 2015, concluded his death was “unavoidable”.
NHS Tayside’s chairman John Brown and chief executive Malcolm Wright have now alerted staff to the documentary, which airs on Monday, and offered support to “anyone affected”.
The pair, who replaced Professor John Connell and Lesley McLay respectively earlier this year amid revelations of financial mismanagement, issued a joint statement sent out by email to all NHS Tayside staff.
In it, they pay thanks to all staff who are making “difficult” and “sensitive” decisions.
The email states: “Thank you for all the work you do every day.
“We know you are making difficult and balanced sensitive decisions and we want to offer you our support as you continue to develop and implement improvements across your services.
“If there is any assistance we can provide, please speak to your line managers and they can alert the mental health leadership team.”
She has implored anyone who wishes to share their stories — good or bad — to come forward.
The 50-year-old said: “I’m worried that people might not come forward, and that’s the last thing we want.
“We’re not traumatising people in this inquiry — everyone will be listened to. It’s emotional of course because of the stories but nobody is being excluded.
“About 90% of people sitting around the table have been affected in some way by issues at Carseview.
“Don’t be scared. Things can change.
“This inquiry could stop someone else dying the way my son did.”
Anyone who wishes to attend the next meeting, the date of which is yet to be announced, can contact the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland who are leading the inquiry.
Breaking Point airs on Monday July 9 at 8.30pm on BBC One Scotland.
Carseview