Health & Social Care Moray (HSCM) will directly provide a sensory support service for people in Moray from 1 April 2026, taking over management and delivery from its current external provider, North East Sensory Services (NESS).
The service will continue to offer high-quality support to adults with sight and hearing loss to help them maximise their independence.
Delivering the service internally offers opportunities to maintain and develop specialist expertise and to integrate sensory support more effectively with other HSCM services, including Occupational Therapy, as part of a sustainable model of service provision.
Since 2009, NESS, which operates from a base in Elgin, has played a vital and valued role in supporting people with sensory impairment across Moray.
HSCM and Moray Integration Joint Board, which governs the work of the partnership, ย sincerely thank NESS for its outstanding contribution, and for the expertise and commitment of its staff which have had a lasting, positive impact on the lives of many people.
Judith Proctor, Chief Officer of HSCM, said: โWe know how important this service is to people living with sight and hearing loss in Moray, and I want to reassure everyone that sensory support to help people maintain their safety and independence will continue to be available locally.
โThis change is about building on the strong foundations established by North East Sensory Services and developing a joined-up, sustainable delivery model for the future at a time of significant financial pressure on all public services. By bringing the sensory service into Health & Social Care Moray, we can make sure people continue to benefit from specialist expertise, strengthen links with our wider health and social care teams, and make sure support continues to be delivered as effectively and efficiently as possible.โ
Alan Bell, Interim Chief Executive of NESS, said: “Our dedicated staff have supported thousands of people in Moray living with sensory loss, helping them maintain independence and quality of life, over many years. During that time, we have built a deep understanding of the local community and its needs.
“While our commissioned contract with HSCM is coming to an end, we remain committed to continuing our charitable services in the area, including our Young Peopleโs Sensory Service and social and community-based activities, and will continue to actively seek the funding required to sustain them.”
As part of the transition, NESS staff delivering the Moray service will have the legal right to transfer to Moray Council under TUPE regulations, with their existing terms and conditions of employment protected.
The process of bringing the service in-house is being carefully planned and managed by HSCM and NESS to minimise disruption, ensure continuity of service, and maintain the high standards of support people expect. Both organisations are working closely together to keep people who access the service and their families, staff, and partners informed and supported throughout the transition.
A British Sign Language (BSL) video with audio and subtitles is available on the NESS website at https://www.nesensoryservices.org/joint-letter-from-ness-and-hscm/
