CCAU Reverses SAD Home Care Time Cuts After Staff Complaints

The Consell Comarcal de l'Alt Urgell (CCAU) has reversed plans to reduce home care service times for users of its atenció a domicili (SAD) programme, following complaints from staff.

Although the contract with public company Iausa initially specified 50 minutes of direct service plus 10 minutes for staff travel between homes, CCAU officials confirmed that users will continue receiving a full hour of care in practice. The council plans to amend the contract soon to reflect this, they added in response to queries from *Bon Dia*.

Workers expressed disappointment upon discovering the 50+10 clause, arguing it harms users by cutting effective attention time and diverts part of user fees—often subsidised by public funds—to cover travel costs instead. They noted that such arrangements benefit contractors financially but had been resisted in past attempts to implement them.

The staff were surprised not to have been informed earlier about the reversal, which came after they raised concerns. They pointed out that the CCAU had access to alternative contract models from other areas that better protect user rights and interests.

CCAU representatives justified the original wording by noting it aligns with common practices in many SAD services across the country. No timeline was given for the contract changes.