Friday March 20th 2026
David Macey-Lillie, aged 72
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
An amputee says his life has become a daily nightmare after his home care package was changed following his release from hospital.
David Macey-Lillie was readmitted into Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in January for an above knee amputation of his right leg.
He had previously had a transmetatarsal amputation of the left foot, meaning he was no longer able to move under his own steam.
Previous to admission he enjoyed a care package provided by Scottish Borders Council at his home in St Abbs.
David, 72, had established a great rapport with the carers, most of whom were local to the Berwickshire area, who he regarded as being “like a family”.
But he was left angry, upset and confused after learning that SBC was discontinuing his care package as part of a shake-up of its Care at Home provision, with many of the services provided being transferred to private companies.
In order to ensure he returned home, David and his wife Lesley, who needs to spend time in Edinburgh due to other family commitments, reluctantly agreed to accept a care package from Midlothian-based McSence.
It’s a change-over which David says does not compare in any way to the previous regime in terms of personalised care.
There is a language barrier because a number of the new carers are from Nigeria, Syria and other African countries and their remit is less than that provided by the SBC carers, with no support to collect his medication or wash his clothes.
David said: “I woke up yesterday morning in tears, dreading them coming. I hate being pushed around on a bed like I’m a pound of meat.
“I hate being put in the hoist because they don’t put me in right half the time and it hurts like hell. When they put me in my chair quite often it’s not straight and I’m sitting sideways and I don’t have the mobility to straighten myself up, so I’m like that all day.
“We have reached out for help because I am personally desperate.”
David, a retired engraver who is also an insulin-dependent diabetic, said the care he received now was the polar opposite to what was in place under the council regime.
He explained: “Under the old regime I would look forward to the carers coming in, we would have great banter, great laughs. My bedroom would often seem like there was a party going on because they carers were so lovely. They were local and I knew them, it almost became like a family and I loved them all to bits.
“Now it is dry and dead and quiet, there is no rapport and there is a language barrier so I don’t know what they are saying half the time. It’s horrendous and I dread them coming through the door. It’s demoralising and I’m left with no respect.
“One day last week they came at ten to six to put me to bed. I’ve never been put to bed a six o’clock since I was three years old. I was put to bed and left fifteen and a half hours until the following morning.
“They don’t get my prescription or do my washing. They do the bare minimum and won’t go the extra mile like the council people did. I’m living a nightmare.”
Wife Lesley is fearful the changes to SBC’s Care at Home package represent an “accident waiting to happen”.
She said: “The carers who attended David were local to the area, highly trained, super-efficient and more than knowledgeable about the care needed.
“The language barrier can be difficult. They travel in from Edinburgh and East Lothian. So far we have had six different carers.
“They have forgotten to give David his medication, forgotten to attach a night bag to David’s catheter, he had to call an emergency nurse out in the dark hours to help him.
“They have failed to provide substantial meals at regular intervals, they do not wash soiled bedding or dirty clothes, they do not hand in repeat prescriptions to the local pharmacy, they do not tidy up after themselves, leaving soiled towels and face cloths in the bath.
“I have no confidence in this company or the carers, I see the way they deal with David and worry how many people they are dealing – or not dealing with – in the same way.
“I worry that this situation is an accident waiting to happen, a drastic accident due to the lack of any actual carers attending clients.
“The majority of those who do come to attend to David are straight from the Job-centre, only days or few weeks on the job. There is going to be a death or deaths if this standard of care is now the acceptable norm.”
Alan Paterson, head of operations at Midlothian-based McSence, has responded to the criticisms saying the care provider was are “committed to delivering safe, high-quality, person-centred support in line with care plans agreed with commissioning authorities”.
He added: “Our service is regulated by the Care Inspectorate, and we are pleased that our most recent inspection assessed our service as ‘very good’ across all key areas, including care and support, staffing, leadership, and well-being.
“We are also a registered care provider operating in line with national standards and regulatory requirements .
“We recognise that transitions in care arrangements can be challenging for individuals and families.
“We work closely with local authorities, health professionals, and families to ensure care is delivered safely and appropriately, and we actively review and respond to any feedback or concerns raised.
“Due to our duty of confidentiality, we are unable to comment on individual circumstances. However, we would always encourage anyone with concerns about care provision to raise these directly with us or through the relevant commissioning authority so they can be fully reviewed and addressed.”
A spokesperson for Scottish Borders Council said: “We have been undertaking a comprehensive two‑year redesign of Care at Home services in the Borders.
“This work is intended to improve long‑term sustainability and includes both services delivered by external partners and those provided by the Council’s own Homecare teams.
“From the outset, we have been clear in our commitment to retaining a mixed model of delivery, ensuring services continue to be provided by both external organisations and a council‑operated service.
“A tender process is currently under-way and will remain open until 6 April. No decisions have been made at this stage, and there will be no changes for any service user until the tender concludes, contracts are awarded, and outcomes are confirmed. Any adjustments required following the tender will be communicated well in advance and managed carefully.
“We remain committed to maintaining continuity, quality and safety of care throughout this process, with the well-being of our service users our priority. Anyone with questions in the meantime is encouraged to contact their care provider or local social work office.”
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