Union in care firmconcerns

A COMPLAINT has been made to a care watchdog about services being provided by a Glasgow care provider.

Trade union Unison has taken the unprecedented step of submitting a complaint to the care Inspectorate about Cordia.

As reported by the Evening Times, the care firm, which is an arm’s length organisation of Glasgow City Council, has been routinely giving clients just 15 minutes of care at a time over the last five months.

As we reported, more than one in five appointments for vulnerable and elderly people were 15 minutes or less between April and August, this year.

Cordia previously said that all tasks required for clients are completed and if clients need extra care they are given it “no matter how long it takes”.

A letter sent by Unison chiefs to the Care Inspectorate outlined the situation and the frequency of 15-minute visit, and stated: “Unison believes this is unacceptable from both a care perspective and workload capacity aspect.

“Service users are not getting the time they have been assessed as requiring by the social care fieldworker.

“No service user has a 15-minute visit in their care plan.

“Home carers are being given unrealistic work schedules, are being overworked and many feel bullied. We believe that the Care Inspectorate should investigate these matters.”

A Cordia spokesman said: “Our home carers undertake all tasks required during each visit. In the event a service user needs more care during a visit, this is provided no matter how long it takes. The care package of every service user is reviewed at least annually, but they or their family can request a change to their plan at any time.”

A spokesman for the Care Inspectorate said: “A concern has been raised with us about this service and we are considering the information given to us carefully.”