SIR, – I write to raise concerns about the decision Horsham Rural City Council has made around the provision of home help to our most vulnerable in the community. 

The decision was made in a confidential meeting and to date we have no real detail around why this decision was made.

I understand that this will be a financial decision and in light of the Royal Commission into Aged Care I have no doubt this was going to throw up some challenges.

However, as I have been chatting to ratepayers the overwhelming feedback is that they want to be asked if they think the service is a reasonable use of ratepayers’ contributions.

The message I am receiving is that yes, ratepayers are happy to pay for the service and would like to see the 50-strong work force retain their jobs and undertake any additional training required.

I am aware there are other service providers in the area and that the service will not cease, however, the significant pay cuts to workers and the potential service delivery models are not what the clients are used to. Some of these clients have had the same carers for years and years.

It is not just about the care received, it’s the way it is received and the relationships that have been formed which are so vital for some aged-care clients, for whom this service breaks the loneliness and they have built up a trust and feel safe with someone else entering their home. I am calling on the council to reconsider its decision and ask the community what it thinks and disclose the full reasoning behind this move so we can understand the motivation.

Susie Relouw

Horsham

• Editor’s note – The Weekly Advertiser reported on February 5 that Horsham municipal leaders wanted to pass aged and disability support services to independent operators. The council resolved to end providing home-care, respite, personal-care, meals-on-wheels and social support services on the proviso it could find a suitable replacement provider. 

Horsham mayor Mark Radford stressed there would be no diminishing of services in the municipality as a result of the proposed move.

The entire February 12, 2020 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!