No timescale given for restoring overnight respite care at Thor House in Thurso
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OVERNIGHT respite care could be restored at Thor House in Thurso although no timescale has been decided, according to a Caithness councillor.
Matthew Reiss, a Thurso and northwest Caithness Highland representative, was told the news by a senior council official and stressed he would like to see the service re-introduced immediately. It was stopped at the time of the coronavirus crisis but not restored.
"It is unacceptable that people are being told they should go to Orchard House in Inverness at their own expense as an alternative. Taking children over 100 miles for an overnight stay is unsatisfactory. The council is trying to sort it out and we should find out soon if the respite service is being restored. I think the public would want it the way it was before Covid," he said.
Mr Reiss, speaking at the last Thurso community council meeting, added: "The service should be re-introduced now not in three to five months time as there is a need for it."
Castletown mother, Elizabeth Jones, who has an autistic six-year-old son, said it is "ludicrous" to expect families to travel all the way to Inverness for overnight respite care when there is a facility in Thurso. "It is very frustrating and wrong," she said.
Community council treasurer, Elspeth Husband, said: "How can they expect parents to drive to Inverness with an autistic child. It is not possible."
Mr Reiss said: "It is a lack of compassion expecting folk to drive that distance for an overnight stay. They would be exhausted."
Ian Gregory agreed and stressed that pregnant mothers also have to make the long trip from Caithness to the Highland capital to give birth. "Would that be expected of people living in Inverness, Glasgow or Edinburgh?" he asked.
James Campbell, wondered about the long-term future of Thor House and if it is under threat.
Replying, Mr Reiss said he had never heard that suggestion being raised although he accepted he was unaware of plans to close the Avonlea care home in Wick until he saw a story in the local press.
Community council chairwoman Thelma Mackenzie said it is "shocking" that Caithness councillors were not consulted on the plan.
Highland Council was asked for a response but would not be drawn on overnight respite care being restored at Thor House. A spokeswoman said the local authority is "exploring a number of options".
She stressed the council has "a strong commitment to delivering on the national policy of Self Directed Support" and is working with children and families "across Highland to understand the needs of communities."
The spokeswoman said there will be a need for some children and families to have short breaks, and for some this will "mean a traditional ‘respite’ model out with the family home."
She acknowledged that Thor House provided short break respite for children overnight and added: "We are actively planning how we can offer a traditional short break model in the north for those small numbers of families who continue to chose this type of service. We are exploring a number of options, but each option will require detailed strategic planning with potential re-purposing and refurbishment, based on levels of community choice and need. These factors are complex and it would be unfair to put a definitive timescale at this juncture."
