Results from a consultation on two South Lanarkshire care homes have been published.
A survey to gather views on the future of Dewar House in Hamilton and McClymont House in Lanark was launched following plans to close the facilities.
The findings, which have been overseen by the Independent Advisory Panel, concluded that the consultation on the future of the care homes was open, transparent and had been conducted in accordance with national guidance.
The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.
Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.
The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.
Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire – iOS – Android
The report highlights strong public and staff views to keep the facilities open and it will inform deliberations of an upcoming meeting of South Lanarkshire’s Integration Joint Board (IJB).
Craig Cunningham, head of commissioning and performance, South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “Firstly, we fully recognise that any consultation processes on local services can be an anxious time.
“No one has entered care services with a view to proposing the closure of facilities. We understand that public concern and fully expected it to come through in the consultation.
“I would like to offer a sincere note of thanks to everyone who took the time to participate.”
A budget shortfall of £21 million for adult and older people’s social care in South Lanarkshire is to blame for the potential plans to close the care homes.
Read More
Related Articles
The local financial pressures reflect the challenges that social care is under across Scotland and has also been highlighted by Audit Scotland who have stated that IJBs have reached a point where significant transformation will be needed to ensure the long-term financial sustainability and quality of services individuals receive.
Professor Soumen Sengupta, chief officer of the IJB, said: “No decisions about the future of either residential care home have been taken at this stage.
“The consultation report will be submitted in full as part of papers to the IJB when it considers the future of the care homes as part of a wider suite of measures to secure sustainable and effective services in the face of a substantial recurring budget shortfall.
“The seriousness with which we view our duty of care to the 21 residents of these two residential care homes is and will remain unchanged.
“This is a responsibility that we will continue to discharge appropriately regardless of the outcome of the IJB’s decisions on March 26.”
Read More
Related Articles
Local politicians have praised the findings of the report.
In a joint statement from two Clydesdale politicians, councillor Julia Marrs (Clydesdale North) and Clydesdale MSP Mairi McAllan, said: “As the SNP local representatives for Lanark & surrounding areas, we very much welcome the outcome of this report, which demonstrates clearly the public desire to retain this much-valued and deeply respected care home within our community.
“McClymont House is the last remaining publicly-run care home in Clydesdale. The families of residents at McClymont have made their case so eloquently and we are pleased their, and our, opposition to closure has been overwhelmingly reflected in the consultation.
“The IJB and the Labour-led administration of South Lanarkshire Council, should consider very carefully the outcome of this report, and think again before voting for any closure of McClymont House.”
*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
Read More
Related Articles
