Care workers are expressing deep concerns over the uncertainty they are facing due to a recent shake-up of council contracts, with some stating that the situation is even more challenging than the lockdown measures imposed previously. The changes in contracts are causing distress among care workers at Lougher Care, a provider of domiciliary care services across the south of Monmouthshire. The new contracts awarded have left many older residents, who rely on this support to live independently at home, unsure of who their future carers will be.
Following the re-tendering exercise, Lougher Care, based in Magor, has lost its contracts in the Caldicott and Chepstow areas, with only the Magor area remaining covered by their services. Monmouthshire council has assured that staff will have the option to transfer to new providers under TUPE arrangements, with their terms and conditions safeguarded. However, many employees at Lougher Care, predominantly female, have expressed a desire to stay with the company, highlighting their strong bonds with both colleagues and service users.
Jackie Maidment, a worker at the Magor office, described the current situation as more unsettling than the lockdown, stating that they are now left in limbo without clarity on the future. Similarly, carer Eva Romsakova shared the sentiment, emphasising the distress experienced by both staff and the individuals they care for, who are seeking answers about the upcoming changes without much information provided.
The Monmouthshire council’s decision to consolidate contracts with three experienced providers, aiming for more stable and integrated care services in the region, has faced criticism from Conservative opposition councillors. The awarding of a contract to Care Quality Services, an Essex-based company, has raised concerns about the competition process’s outcome, particularly given the emphasis on quality in the evaluation criteria.
Many carers at Lougher Care have expressed reservations about transferring to new providers, citing their satisfaction with the company’s working conditions, which include competitive wages and additional benefits such as uniform provisions and covering essential costs. The personal connections established with service users over the years have also contributed to their reluctance to transition to unfamiliar care providers.
Despite the council’s assurance of minimal disruption and efforts to ensure continuity of care, concerns persist among both care workers and residents about the potential impact of these changes on the quality and availability of care services. The unique support and personalised assistance provided by long-standing carers like Olive Lewis highlight the invaluable relationships built over decades of service, raising questions about the irreplaceable bond between carers and those receiving care.
The forthcoming transition has raised important considerations about individual choice, sustainability of care provision, and the overall impact on the well-being of both care workers and recipients of care services. As the council navigates through this period of change, the commitment to supporting sustainability and choice within the provider landscape remains pivotal in ensuring the welfare and satisfaction of all involved parties.