SOUTH Ayrshire’s charity Hansel has lost funding from North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership.

The organisation had been funding Hansel Alliance but North Ayrshire Council are now unable to supply additional money due to ongoing budget pressures within the health and social care sector.

Both groups have been in discussion regarding provision and financing of commissioned services, but due to service cost pressures, Hansel Alliance has sought an additional increase in fees from North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership.

This means, North Ayrshire Council, on behalf of NAHSCP, will no longer commission Hansel Alliance to provide respite services within the Cabin/Caravan for service users from Monday, October 30.

Short break respite bookings at the Cabin/caravan, up to Sunday, October 29, will be maintained.

However, from Monday October 30, all short break bookings will be reviewed on an individual basis by North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership and alternative solutions identified.

Thelma Bowers, head of mental health and learning disability services for NAHSCP, said: “Hansel Alliance and North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership teams are continuing to work together to ensure that we provide people who use services with the highest quality of care possible.

“The financial pressures on both organisations has resulted in this disappointing and regrettable decision.

“People who use our services, their families and carers have been advised about the changes.

“Safe, high quality care and support for people who use our services is North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership’s and Hansel Alliance’s first priority.”

In response to this, a spokeswoman for Hansel Alliance, added: “We are deeply disappointed for our customers and their families and carers affected by North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership’s decision to sever their contract with Hansel to deliver respite care.

“Many of the 41 customers from North Ayrshire have chosen to visit our holiday cabin at Broadmeadows and our short break caravans for many years, enabling their families and carers to take time out safe in the knowledge that their family member will be supported to enjoy a fun- filled personalised short holiday break. 

“Many friendships have been made over the years and everyone has enjoyed the safety and comfort of meeting up in familiar surroundings.

“North Ayrshire Council has previously benefited from a discount on these services and is now not prepared to pay the new financial rate which was introduced in April.

“Increases in this respite rate, which is negotiated and agreed annually with South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, have been necessary to cover the Scottish Government’s newly introduced Living Wage commitment for staff. 

“With many other funders keen to access our respite and short breaks we remain confident that Hansel continues to offer competitive pricing for all its care and support services.”