The Drenthe households that were in danger of being left out in the cold after the loss of Chalcedony Care provider can breathe a sigh of relief.
The municipalities of Aa and Hunze, Assen, Midden-Drenthe, Noordenveld and Tynaarlo have completed their contracts for domestic support as of January 1, 2024.
This is necessary to continue to meet the legal requirements. The contracts have been concluded with fifteen parties, including one new one.
The problems arose because Chalcedony care from Smilde did not meet the requirements according to the five municipalities in North and Central Drenthe. The home care provider was unable to provide financial data in a recent tender round. Chalcedoonzorg filed summary proceedings, but the preliminary relief judge of the Northern Netherlands District Court rejected all claims on December 15, 2023.
Correct transfer
The staff members and clients who receive care from Chalcedony Care have been informed. The municipalities expect a correct transfer from Chalcedony Care. The municipalities remain in close contact with Chalcedony Care to ensure that all clients receive good support and care after January 1.
Since decentralization in 2015, municipalities have arranged household assistance under the Social Support Act (Wmo) for people who need it due to illness or disability. Municipalities purchase this help from home care organizations.
Staff shortage
The starting point for purchasing was that residents would notice as few changes as possible. According to the NMD municipalities, this has largely been successful; After all, most of the 6,500 clients continue to receive the regular help they are used to. Chalcedony care worked in approximately 150 households in Assen and 130 in Central Drenthe.
Because there is also a staff shortage in healthcare, some changes have been included in the new contracts. For example, more hours are possible for domestic support; At first this was only possible during office hours, from January 1 this will be until 8 p.m. and also on Saturday mornings.
The new contracts run for a maximum of six years.