Council responds to concerns at Thurso sheltered housing scheme

The Highland Council has responded to concerns about warden cover at a sheltered housing scheme in Thurso by visiting residents and promising to advise them soon of the outcome of the consultations.

Sheltered housing tenants of Oldfield and Queens Courts received visits from Council officers on Monday and Tuesday 17/18 September to hear from them first hand and discuss the petition they presented to the Council. 

The Council has given a commitment to consider the feedback from this consultation exercise with local councillors and write to all residents within 3 weeks with any proposals for change.

The current warden service involves a mixture of daily on site presence  providing personal contact, complemented by provision of a 24 hours a day, 365 days a year emergency call service operated by the Highland HUB.  All Highland Council sheltered housing schemes are linked into the Highland HUB, which ensures that sheltered housing tenants receive an immediate response if they need assistance when the warden is not on duty.  HUB staff ensure that appropriate assistance is provided, including contacting the residents nominated contacts, which may include a family member or friend.

The Council’s sheltered housing warden service promotes independent living in communities across the Highlands.  Wardens work with sheltered housing tenants to identify any additional support or assistance they may need and liaise with agencies such as NHS or the area community care team to ensure the needs are recognised and met.