[responsivevoice_button voice=”UK English Female” buttontext=”Listen to Post”]

EXISTING BUILDINGS USED to provide respite in Moray are no longer fit for purpose, according to Moray Council.

A decision to close Taigh Farrais in Forres and Doocot View, Buckie was made by members of the Moray Integration Joint Board (MIJB) last week.

The Forres facility is currently operating at 50% capacity providing respite services to a number of people with complex physical and sensory disability. The building is also not of a standard to meet with fire and safety regulations for this care group, and the level of usage for Moray residents represents a small percentage of those that use it.

Doocot View, meanwhile, provides respite to 19 moray families for people with a learning disability – but again the facility was not operating at maximum capacity.

A council report states that a facility at Birchview in Elgin – also running at less than 50% capacity – ensures there is provision within the system to accommodate residential placements. There is also the availability of bespoke services through self-directed support, aimed at delivering personalised approaches to care.

A range of consultations have been undertaken, and Moray Integration Joint Board (MIJB), who have responsibility for adult health and social care services, has assured families that staff are working with those individuals affected and their needs will be met during this period of change.

While the MIJB appreciates the change may upset some service users, the Board consider that their needs will be better met in a safer environment by closing these two facilities and helping access to other services in Moray.