Local Coastguard teams, the Police and the public have supported Orkney’s Homecare Service during the worst of the wintry spell making sure home carers could reach their service users whenever possible.
The Coastguard answered a plea for help at the end of last week as Homecare managers firmed up a contingency plan following a forecast of further heavy snow and strong winds.
Despite the treacherous conditions, Gail Harvey, registered manager Orkney Health and Care, Care at Home Responder Service, said they had to ensure as many visits to their 174 service users could continue.
“Our service users are some of the most vulnerable in our communities and our home carers were making valiant efforts to get to them. However, with forecasts predicting worsening weather we had to put in place a plan B. The Coastguard answered our plea for help immediately offering to assist us with drivers and their 4x4 vehicles.
“It wasn’t long before we had to call upon them for help – the first supported call was on Friday morning when a home carer called to say she was unable to get out of her road due to drifting snow. With the Coastguard’s help she was able to visit seven vulnerable service users.
“Our calls for support and assistance continued on Friday and Saturday and we are immensely grateful. Our gratitude extends to the Police who also assisted in a vital call out and the wider Orkney community as we have had some folk come the aid of our home carers who were stuck in drifts.
“Families of some of our service users have also been incredibly understanding and where they have been able to help with visits, they have done so. We are very grateful to all and it shows Orkney’s community spirit is very much alive and well.
“I must finally praise our own staff who really have gone above and beyond during the wintry spell – I am immensely proud of their efforts.”
Gail assured that all infection control measures were adhered to.
“We follow all our infection control procedures, including hand hygiene, PPE, social distancing as much as is possible at all times but it was vital that visits are able to continue to some of our most vulnerable people.”
Picture: Orkney Photographic - Coastguard Station Officer Mark Rendall with home carer Janette Mackie.
