'Bitterly disappointed': Two South Lanarkshire care homes to close

Two care homes in South Lanarkshire will close down in the next seven months, unless the Scottish Government steps in with extra funding.

Members of the Integrated Joint Board (IJB) - a partnership between the local authority and the local health board - agreed upon a last minute amendment.

The Chief Financial Officer will now write to Holyrood with an urgent appeal for extra cash to save McClymont House in Lanark, and Dewar House in Hamilton.

The closure will mean around 27 FTE posts in Dewar and roughly 32 FTE jobs in McClymont will be removed and workers will be redeployed in other roles.

The decision is part of a package of cuts to bridge a funding gap of £33m, and the IJB has a legal requirement to set a balanced budget.

'Bitterly disappointed'

It comes after weeks of campaigning from the families of residents, who say the homes are a vital part of the community.

Emma Koubayssi, whose nana Margaret is one of the residents in the Lanark home, said she is distraught with the move.

Margaret is living with dementia and McClymont House has had a hugely positive impact on her health - Emma fears she would be too fragile to move.

She added: "We're bitterly disappointed with the news.

"Their priority has been about balancing the budget, they're talking about their statutory obligations, but what about your statutory obligation to take care of the frail and elderly in your community?

"We want to say thank you to the staff who are like our extended family at McClymont House, and thank everybody that has tried to pass the motion and tried to fight for this.

"None of those staff have tried to jump ship, they've stuck with us even though that left them in a more precarious situation.

"I can't even think about the impact this will have on my grandmother and on the other residents.

"The decision was made in September last year, and the only reason the consultation was held was because families pointed out the need for it in the democratic process.

"All we need is £750,000 to keep that home opened and that has been denied.

"We're going to ask the Scottish Government to put its money where its mouth is and help support the elderly in our communities."

'Tick box exercise'

Margaret's daughter Allanna Macdonald said it's absolutely devastating and feels the consultation with families was like a 'tick box exercise.'

She said: "They weren't prepared to listen to anything else that was put on the table.

"My mind is absolutely blown because we as a family now need to find somewhere else to keep my mother safe.

"We believe we are not going to be able to find that place, we believe she's in the place that she should be.

"We thought very, very carefully about where my mother should be for the rest of her life, and that is McClymont."

IJB response

A spokesperson for the IJB, said: “I understand this has been a worrying time for people affected and would seek to reassure that the ongoing wellbeing of all residents will remain our primary concern.

“As part of that reassurance, we remain committed to maintaining an open and honest dialogue. We will directly update those concerned, as well as the wider public, on this appeal to the Scottish Government as and when we can.

“This development notwithstanding, the next steps of process will be now taken forward sensitively and in line with national guidance.

“This will ensure each resident’s individual needs and views are considered properly, safety and wellbeing protected, and within an appropriate timescale.

“The Care Inspectorate stipulate that in the event that a care home is to be closed that a minimum of 13 weeks’ notice is given for deregistration.

"Having given careful consideration to the consultation report an extended closure period of 7 months has been recommended and budgeted for.

"This is to provide added reassurance that the process will not be unduly rushed and necessary care will be given to finding an appropriate placement for each resident.”

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