Audrey Coates

I am very supportive of trying to keep Beechgove open but it is all down to finance

involvement as the staff looked after my father when he was frail for quite some time and the level of care was exemplary.

“The prospect of a review of Beechgrove House has been around for some time and I had hoped that the decision would have been to prevent full closure.

“It is a missed opportunity to use Beechgrove House for a variety of options, including residential care, a step-down facility and for respite.”

Mr Cant also named newlyelected Perth South member councillor Audrey Coates as someone he felt he had not seen enough from.

Councillor Coates, who won the Perth City South by-election in November, has said she is upset by the claims.

She said: “I’m disappointed to be described as unsupportive of keeping Beechgrove open. The decision was made by the IJB, and being newly elected in November and not a member of the board, I was not involved in the decision.

“I am very supportive of trying to keep Beechgrove House open, but it is all down to finance. Our council leader, Councillor Murray Lyle, has written to the IJB.

“I’ve been up to Beechgrove and met with Mr Cant, so I’m a bit upset.

“We do not want to upset the elderly people who are in Beechgrove, and it is not a good situation to be in.’’