𝐆𝐒𝐃 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭’𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭.

𝐆𝐒𝐃 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭’𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭.

The Government’s defensiveness about the critical issues facing Gibraltar’s Home Support and Domiciliary Care Services underscores a discomfort with accountability on these issues. The GSD will continue to hold the Government to account with steadfast resolve.

Despite Government attempts to downplay the severity of this situation, the reality is stark: significant problems have arisen due to the Government’s failure to implement effective mechanisms in a timely manner. This lack of preparedness has led to serious disruption for service users and their families. Rather than accepting responsibility and proactively working on solutions, the Government has responded with excuses, neglecting the very concerns we have repeatedly raised in Parliament.

In response to the Government’s latest statement, Shadow Minister for Care, Atrish Sanchez, emphasized: “My colleagues and I have consistently flagged these problems and questioned the Government’s readiness. Instead of taking the necessary steps to prevent this crisis, the Government has chosen to deflect blame, dismissing the situation as ‘mere teething issues.’

The Government even accuses the GSD of exaggerating the problem, yet we need only point to Unite the Union’s press release from the 6th of November, which warns of ongoing issues with the transfer of Domiciliary Care and Home Support workers from ADA and Meddoc to Lifecome Care, and the potential for a demonstration over unresolved issues impacting workers. We understand that after urgent talks, this is thankfully, not going ahead. Albeit this is just the latest in a string of unresolved challenges that are disrupting lives and placing an emotional burden on service users, carers, and families alike. To downplay this distress is not only dismissive but unacceptable.”

The GSD stands firm in our urgent call for immediate Government intervention to protect service users, their families, and the employees who deliver essential care. We renew our demand for swift action to prevent further escalation and restore stability to these vital services.

Our sincere hope is that these issues are resolved quickly and effectively, allowing Home Support and Domiciliary Care Services to function as promised, providing stability, support, and peace of mind to our community and those who most need it. The GSD will not waver in holding the Government accountable to ensure that these crucial services meet the needs of our community.