A row over a forecast £526,000 deficit for running the new Stornoway care complex took a curious twist today (Tuesday) when the chief officer for health and social care in the Western Isles failed to turn up at a council meeting.
Western Isles Integrated Joint Board (IJB) has ruled not to move current care home residents into the new-
Councillors were bewildered when IJB boss Nick Fayers declined to appear before the comhairle’s communities and housing committee.
The IJB is a partnership between the local authority and NHS Western Isles with responsibility for planning and funding a range of health and social care services. Regarding the council’s remit for social care it reports to the comhairle’s communities’ committee.
The IJB firmly points the finger at the local authority for a forecast operating costs shortfall for the new care home after it opens. The body has been in touch with the Scottish Government over the deficit.
Also of concern is the prospect of a lack of recruits for jobs at the care home and high cost agency staff having to be brought in.
Mr Fayers was missing when the IJB’s report on the financial problems facing the Goathill campus was due to be discussed at the comhairle today (Tuesday).
The IJB believes the debate should not be held in a public forum.
Committee chairman, Kenny John Macleod, indicated he was only told at the last minute Mr Fayers would not turn up to respond to councillors concerns.
Given the issue’s “importance” for the council’s work with social care his absence was “disappointing.”
He said: “The IJB chief officer doesn’t feel inclined to come to the committee and speak to the report.”
Council leader Roddie Mackay stated: “It is unacceptable that he is not here.”
Having the IJB chief officer present to discuss the issues was necessary, as “he is accountable for the report.”
Funding for the new care complex is a “serious and important” issue, he added.
He referred to what will be a “flagship” care development at Goathill the construction of which has been progressed amid Covid, Brexit and other obstacles.
“We have to ensure we come to the right conclusions and decisions about this.”
Malcolm Burr, comhairle chief executive, rejected the IJB’s view over the responsibility for the deficit.
Mr Burr pointed out the past practice of maintaining funding for the IJB at the same level in recent years is “almost to give it an increase” in the present beleaguered financial climate. Other council services have suffered cuts in comparison, he added.
“We have never, never, passed on service reductions to the IJB,” he emphasised.
“Discussions need to take place with the IJB and the integrated corporate management team.”
The committee agreed to invite Mr Fayers to its meeting in March.
Health and social care boss refuses to attend meeting over Stornoway flagship care home £500,000 shortfall
1 February 2022
The care home is due to be ready this summer
