4x 4s to the rescue
Whatever the weather, specialist drivers from Warwickshire County Council have been out in 4x4s to get support to vulnerable and elderly people in Warwickshire’s communities.
The County Council’s Adult, Health and Community Services have been using six 4x4 vehicles to transport staff around Warwickshire to ensure the most vulnerable receive help.
David Curle, Buildings and Transport Manager for Warwickshire County Council’s Adult Health and Community Services said: “The conditions have been difficult but we’ve managed to get to the most isolated rural areas where we have had significant snowfall. Our trained drivers have been taking home-care staff out in 4x4s so that we can get to people who need help getting up or going to bed and to visit those who are at risk if they are left alone.”
The vehicles have been out from 6.30am until midnight and have also helped the voluntary and private sector, whether it has been getting meals on wheels to customers in Stratford or transporting staff to Mencap in Southam.
In Shipston-on-Stour last night, specialist driver, Andy Prosser, was busy transporting staff from surrounding villages to Low Furlong Residential Care Home.
Debbie Compton is Assistant Manager at Low Furlong in Shipston and expressed her gratitude to the service. She said: “Round here it has been atrocious with deep snow and horrendous ice. Luckily the transport department helped us out to get staff in for the nightshift and take others home.”
Adult, Health and Community Services are preparing for possible further severe weather on Sunday and Monday but will continue to work over the weekend getting to vulnerable customers and transporting staff to residential homes.
Staff have been walking to clients’ homes, using 4 x 4 vehicles to reach the more inaccessible locations and all clients who usually receive a service have received either a personal visit or a telephone call to check on their wellbeing. Most services are operating normally with the exception of day care centres which have been suspended because of the risk of trips and falls for customers. The day care centre service is being reviewed on a daily basis and will return to normal as soon as possible.
Graeme Betts, Director of Adult, Health and Community Services said: "I would like to express my great appreciation to all staff who have helped out in the last few days to make sure we continue to run essential services."