Parents have raised concerns for their children’s wellbeing if a north-east respite centre for people with learning disabilities doesn’t reopen soon.
Impatience is mounting as families have now gone months without being able to take their loved ones to the respite bungalow on Robertson Road in Fraserburgh.
Donna Morrison, whose son has attended the facility for years, is among those concerned.
Mrs Morrison said: “Other services are opening up and our loved ones are in need of this as their mental health is declining, along with their care givers.
“There should be emergency places for mental health issues.”
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said ministers wrote to local authorities on August 3 to confirm registered building-based adult day services and dedicated overnight respite can reopen.
But local Health and Social Care Partnership manager for North Aberdeenshire, Mark Simpson said the building was unable to reopen due to “complexities” in ensuring people using it remain safe.
Mr Simpson said: “Many of our clients are at a higher risk from Covid-19 and we are not yet able to ensure their safety prior to re-opening our services.”
“While traditional, building-based respite services are not yet able to re-start there are other ways in which we are able to support individuals and families.
“Each one of our clients has a care manager who will be able to support and guide them to find respite solutions through Self-Directed Support (SDS).”