Family’s complaint rejected

A watchdog has rejected a complaint from an East R e n f rewshire family concerned at night time care for a relative.

An overnight carer had been axed and replaced with “enhanced telecare”.

The furious family were angered at the cost-saving decision by East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership.

In a complaint to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, the family described as “C” said the partnership had “unreasonably decided” to withdraw the carer.

The relative - known as A - was now being monitored by technology installed in the house.

But the ombudsman has thrown out the complaint after seeking independent social work advice.

The ruling said: “We found that the partnership had reasonably assessed A’s needs; had reasonably addressed the concerns raised by the family; and had reasonably decided to replace the overnight sleepover support with enhanced telecare.

“We did not find evidence that the partnership had failed to pay adequate attention to human rights considerations.

“In particular, we were satisfied that they had appropriately considered A’s needs and outcomes along with the views of A’s family, previous respite carers and appropriate professionals.

“We did not uphold the complaint.”