East Perthshire Homecare staff brave Arctic conditions

Jan 7 2010 by Johnathon Menzies, Blairgowrie Adv

AN INTREPID East Perthshire carer braved treacherous road conditions to ensure those she looks after weren’t left stranded during recent heavy snowfall.

Burrelton’s Val MacFarlane is one of a big-hearted workforce who help residents across the region with everyday tasks, as part of a council-run scheme ensuring recipients remain in their own homes.

An 81-year-old Balbeggie resident, who did not wish to be identified, said that Mrs MacFarlane’s work was crucial as it allows many of the village’s residents to retain their independence.

He said: “There was nine inches of snow in one night recently.

“And the main road through the village hadn’t been cleared by the morning.

“But Mrs MacFarlane was determined to get through, so she got her husband to drive her through the snow in his 4x4.

“Then she cleared the snow from my drive and gave me my tea and toast in the morning as usual.

“It just shows the dedication that the carers have,” he said.

Mrs MacFarlane, one of four home carers who pay daily visits to a dozen people in the Balbeggie, Burrelton and Guildtown areas, modestly told the PA she was just doing her job.

She said: “I was only doing what I’ve always done.

“And it wasn’t just me, the whole team made sure that nobody in our area missed out on a visit because of the weather.

“We do all sorts of things, whatever the situation demands – it could be personal care, helping with medication or making meals.

“Each person’s care package is tailored to meet their individual needs,” she said.

The Homecare scheme is the responsibility of Perth and Kinross Council’s housing and health department.

Committee convener, Councillor Peter Barrett, said Mrs MacFarlane is part of one of the “most efficient, caring, and committed teams in the country.”

He continued: “I would like to publicly thank our Homecare staff for the work they do.

“And also the caring, commitment, and professionalism they bring to bear throughout the year – but especially during the atrocious conditions over Christmas and New Year.

“Much of the time their work goes by largely unnoticed and unsung, and doesn’t grab headlines.

“It’s heart-warming to hear that the efforts of our staff are appreciated and applauded by the people they help, and their families.

“Often people don’t recognise the amount of support provided to our communities until a particular crisis affects them directly.

“At those times, the response to such incidents by housing and community care staff is absolutely vital to the safeguarding of those families and individuals,” he said.