Survey on care services

Consultation starts

A consultation on care provision for vulnerable elderly people is taking place across North Lanarkshire.

Service users and carers in Monklands, plus sheltered housing residents, support groups and workers are all being encouraged to give their views in the study.

Its findings – intended to “help shape future services for older people” – will go to December’s meeting of North Lanarkshire health and social care integrated joint board.

Board chair Paul Kelly said: “There is increasing demand and we must ensure that we are providing a modernised service for those who need it most.

“The consultation is a great opportunity for the community to help shape services. I’d encourage everyone with an interest in the care of our older people to get in touch and share their views.”

He added of community alarms – now free once again after an unpopular eightmonth period of charges being imposed: “We also want to ensure that people who request [one] are aware of all the other support available to them.

“Some people require more than simply an alarm and we want to make sure they are fully informed of all the support and advice on offer, which can make a significant difference to people’s lives.

“North Lanarkshire has higher take- up of alarms than most other parts of Scotland and the review will also look at how other areas provide alarms to people.”

Email SWCAS@northlan. gov.uk or call 01698 403278 to take part in the consultation.