Over half of people in Scotland had their home care reduced or stopped during pandemic

More than half of the people in Scotland had their care at home reduced or stopped completely as a result of the pandemic, according to a survey by the Scottish government.

The survey by the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee found 54 per cent of recipients of home care saw their care either reduced or stopped completely, with one respondent saying their care stopped for more than six months. Reduction in care was a recurring theme from respondents with families feeling that they were “left to get on with it”.

The survey, which ran during August and September, collected the experiences of home care workers, unpaid carers and care recipients during the pandemic.

Additional pressures and a loss of routine during the pandemic led to increased anxiety for unpaid carers, who stressed the need for respite. People receiving care felt “mentally exhausted” and “frightened to let staff back into their homes”.

Committee convener Lewis Macdonald MSP said: “The first wave of COVID-19 had a devastating impact on the social care sector in Scotland. Now that we’re in the midst of a second wave, and continuing national restrictions, it is vital that we hear the voices of home care workers and those receiving care at home across the country. These findings are deeply concerning suggesting over 50 per cent of those receiving care at home saw their care reduced or stopped completely during the pandemic.

“Other concerns raised around mental health, safety, and the prospect of care shutting down again, make it clear that things must improve.”

Care workers said that during a second wave, it was vital to have access to appropriate PPE as well as frequent testing, and that care workers should receive adequate training in both infection control and social distancing.

The survey revealed that there needs to be greater recognition of unpaid carers who were often “left to pick up the slack”. There were calls for more support and financial help as well as a ‘professionalisation’ of the system, with a move towards a professional career model.

A fear of services shutting down again left people receiving home care feeling determined to “not be forgotten about” or “left to manage entirely on [their] own”. They called for the continuity of care services and care packages to remain in place in the event of future outbreaks.

Mr Macdonald said: “The Committee recognises the hard work of carers, paid and unpaid, who have gone above and beyond during this unprecedented challenge and we also want to thank all those who took part in the survey for sharing their experiences in what are still very difficult times.”

The survey was carried out to understand the impact of COVID-19 on those delivering and receiving care at home services, and what issues the pandemic has highlighted, improved, or made worse.

The survey ran from 10 August 2020 to 7 September 2020 and the Committee received 723 responses.