Care staff shortage is slammed by pensioner

Council claims there was ample cover for sick colleagues at housing complex

A staff sickness crisis left supported housing tenants in a Tayside complex without on-site cover – a situation one resident says could have ended in tragedy.

Council care chiefs insisted there was no adverse impact during the “exceptional sickness absence issue” affecting Kinloch Court in Carnoustie.

However, resident James Fee believes the lack of staff cover could have ended disastrously.

The facility normally has round-theclock concierge cover but on Tuesday the 73-year-old was shocked to discover there was no on-site staff cover.

Community alarm staff were called to the complex three times during the shift to respond to calls from tenants.

The incident comes after major concerns were expressed about a shake-up of services for the elderly and vulnerable across the district, including changes to community alarm staffing arrangements.

Mr Fee, who has limited mobility as a result of a stroke, said: “I’ve been here just over a year and have had no complaints but there should have been emergency provision that they could put in place.

“Something could have gone very badly wrong if there was a fire or something happened in one of the flats.

“I wasn’t so worried for myself but there are quite a few vulnerable residents here, people with dementia who could have gone out and got lost, and it’s not on that there was no one here.”

An Angus Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “A social care officer provides an on-site concierge service at Kinloch Court supported housing within a shift pattern that covers 24 hours each day.

“On-site concierge staff respond to calls for assistance from tenants, with the community alarm facility providing additional support as required.

“Due to an exceptional sickness absence issue that arose at short notice on Tuesday April 18, the shift could not be covered by the regular staff group.

“Contingencies were put in place to ensure that any calls from tenants were responded to.”

The spokesperson said that as part of this, an on-duty senior member of staff at the Kinloch care centre campus maintained contact with community alarm staff and attended the complex on several occasions.

“Community alarm staff attended to three calls during the period,” they added “Established staff cover arrangements resumed at the end of this shift and no tenants were adversely affected.”

something could have gone very badly wrong if there was a fire

Picture: Kim Cessford. James Fee is concerned about the fact that the Kinloch Court complex was left without on-site cover one day.