A lifeline service that enables elderly and disabled people in Dundee and Angus to live independently is to be withdrawn for financial reasons.
Positive Steps has given notice that it is ending its Flexi Care service – which offers a range of services such as helping potentially vulnerable people to shower and dress – as it was not “economically viable”.
Service users in Dundee and Angus, who have been given four weeks’ warning of the firm’s decision, are now being helped by council staff to find alternative providers to help them live at home.
One client in Angus claimed that the decision had left vulnerable, elderly and disabled people had been left “unsettled” and “in limbo”.
Confirming the move, Positive Steps’ chief executive David Sharkey said the decision was taken with “great sadness and reluctance” and added that no staff had been made redundant “at this point”.
He said: “The Flexi Care service was set up in 2014 to offer a specialised twilight service with specialised staff.
“However, in order to meet the needs of service users, the service has delivered a mainstream care at home service with a resulting increases in staffing levels and associated costs.
“Unfortunately the service has not proved economically viable and Positive Steps has reluctantly has taken the decision to close the service in line with our planned closure plan.”
Among the tailored services Flexi Care provide is assistance from 8pm to 2am, respite care, personal care, social interaction, housing support and domestic service.
Mr Sharkey said that all stakeholders were advised as soon as the decision was taken and that the timescale of the planned closure meets the firm’s statutory obligations.
“It will also allow time to make arrangements with care managers and service users to ensure smooth transition of the service to other care providers of their choice,” he added.
“Positive Steps will ensure that the high quality of care is maintained to our service users during this transition which may require the service to continue subsequent to the statutory period until all service users have had their care transferred to another care provider.”
A disabled person in Angus who recently started receiving care from Positive Steps said: “It leaves is a number of vulnerable, elderly and disabled people in limbo once again.
“Imagine being in their shoes and not knowing whether you will get a shower in the morning or your most basic of needs will be looked after. This situation needs sorted out without delay.”
A spokesman for Angus Council confirmed that users had been given four weeks’ notice by Positive Steps and said it would assist service users “as required” to find replacement services from other care providers.
He added: “There are over 20 care provider organisations contracted to work in Angus and we are confident alternative services will be organised before Positive Steps withdraw.”
A Dundee City Council spokesman added: “We will provide any help needed to anyone that has to seek an alternative service provider.”
