Councillor slams Hertfordshire's care services sharing firsthand 'struggles'
Hertfordshire County Councillor Matthew Hurst has highlighted his eight-year struggle to obtain medical and social care for his wife at a meeting of county councillors.
Cllr Hurst was one of several councillors scrutinising wide-ranging county council performance data at a meeting of the resources and performance cabinet panel on Tuesday.
He put the spotlight on council priorities relating to adult social care, telling of his struggle to be heard and of the failure of the council and NHS services to work together.
He highlighted the council’s stated priority to “help carers to sustain their caring roles, listening to them so they feel respected, supported and heard”.
And to the aim to “facilitate joined up preventative and personalised services that support residents at the earliest point, reducing future need”.
He told the meeting: “I don’t recognise the wording as being followed through in real practice. From my own perspective, I have never been listened to. I’ve struggled to get the support for over eight years – been passed from pillar to post, from adult care to mental health.
He continued: “We have adult care services that don’t speak to the mental health team. We have the mental health team that doesn’t speak to the NHS. We have computer systems from adult care that don’t react or link into the computer systems within the NHS. There is a lot of work to be done here to improve these figures.
“And you know I would just like to see a lot more done because, as a carer, I really do not feel listened to. And as a carer under Hertfordshire, I really have not been listened to over eight years.”
In response, executive member for resources and performance Cllr Chris Lucas said it was “disappointing” that Cllr Hurst had an eight-year struggle with Hertfordshire County Council (HCC).
“Clearly this is something that the corporate plan has identified as an area we are going to focus on,” said Cllr Lucas. It is disappointing that you have had eight years of struggle with HCC. And this administration hopes to be able to address your points in the totality of the corporate plan.”
According to the latest available data presented to the cabinet panel, in September, 80% of carers reported to HCC that they found it easy to access advice and support. And 83% of carers reported being involved in decisions about the person they care for.
Just over half (53.3%) reported, overall, that they were satisfied with social services. Following the meeting, Cllr Calvin Horner, deputy executive member for adult care services, acknowledged the issues raised by Cllr Hurst.
“Having spoken to Cllr Hurst about his experiences, I fully understand and recognise the issues he raised in the panel meeting earlier this week,” said Cllr Horner. Listening to unpaid carers and improving the support they receive is a priority for the council.
“We are currently working with partners and carers to update the Hertfordshire Carers Strategy, and effective communication between partners and with carers will form a key part of that. As part of the existing strategy, we have introduced training for social work staff to be more carer-aware, we have funded the Carer Trainer Unit at Carers in Hertfordshire and worked closely with health organisations to improve support and awareness. We have also reached out to carers from diverse backgrounds.
“We remain committed to helping carers to sustain their caring roles, and to listening to them so they feel respected, supported and heard.”