Hear about £18m vision
People in Blantyre will be given the chance to hear about plans for a multimillion pound investment in the heart of the village.
South Lanarkshire Council plans to convert the former St Joseph’s Primary School into a hub for adults and older people as part of an £18m care vision.
The proposed development marks out the first phase of a modernisation programme announced by the council a year ago.
Now an information day will take place on Wednesday, July 31, in Blantyre Miners’ Welfare between 2pm and 7pm.
The council’s director of health and social care, Val de Souza, said: “We are giving people the chance to come along and find out about the plans, as well as keeping the community fully updated about what we’re doing and how we’re doing it and the reasons why.”
Proposals submitted to South Lanarkshire Council’s planning department in June show four elements to the plans for the former St Joseph’s Primary School site.
They include 20 transitional care apartments for adults and older people. Transitional care has been shown to be effective in supporting older people to live happier and healthier lives in their own communities rather than moving to long-term residential care, says the council,
There will also be a centre of excellence – specialising in training and development of health and social care staff. Although unique to the proposed Hamilton/blantyre facility, it will support all localities.
A community-facing hub will also be established, featuring a café, demonstration site, guidance and support for unpaid carers, linkage and signposting into a raft of community-based voluntary and third sector support.
Twenty homes are to be built for adults and older people, designed and equipped with technology to support people requiring a higher level of support and those with complex disabilities to live independently in a family home rather than moving to residential care.
In addition it is proposed that a further 25 new council homes would be built on the site.
Ms Souza said: “In effect we are developing a model of care that will enhance our ability to meet changing care needs, particularly in light of significant population change over the last 20 years and responding to what people have told us.
“It is about improving people’s lives and offering real choice.
“This approach to care offers the people of South Lanarkshire more choices and options to be maintained at home and in the community.”
Maureen Chalmers, SNP councillor for Blantyre, is urging her constituents to go along to the meeting and play a full part in shaping the future.
“This is a chance for people to find out exactly what is happening and have a say in what facilities they would like to see in the new building”,” she said.
“I can understand why some people were not happy about the planned closure of Kirkton House.
“While the care provided was first class, the fabric of the building was not up to the job and no longer fit for purpose.
“The need for a care hub is wellestablished and it has taken 18 months to steer the proposals through committees.
“Times have changed and the range of home care support is now broader than ever.
“The hub will offer people the chance to have a short stay there for them to be assessed properly with a view to finding the correct outcome for their needs.”
Long-serving Blantyre Labour councillor Bert Thomson says he agrees in principal to the hub but still has questions that need answered.
“Part of the proposal will bring new houses to Blantyre and that can only be a good thing,” he said.
“But I have been listening to what constituents tell me and many are still not happy about the loss of care homes.
“The hub is not built yet so there could be provision for say 10 longterm beds to be included in the project.
“I know South Lanarkshire Council doesn’t provide nursing care, but it could be a comfort to people to know their loved ones were close at hand.”
Councillor Thomson says people have also raised concerns about car parking at the new facility.
He added: “This meeting is a chance for people to go along and voice their concerns on any aspect of the proposals.
“I would urge South Lanarkshire Council officers to listen to what elected representatives and the public want, and to get it right.”