PETITION TO SAVE LOCAL CARE HOME
Strath premises under closure threat
A petition calling for a Strath care home to be saved from potential closure has been signed by almost 2000 people.
The local authority- run Parkdale Care Home is one of three currently under review as part of a consultation by the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership. The others are Dalweem in Aberfeldy and Beechgrove House in Perth.
One of the options on the table as part of the consultation would see both Beechgrove and Parkdale shut, with the partnership finding 50 replacement beds in other care facilities.
Another proposal would see one of these care homes remaining open while the other one closes. A further option is to retain the status quo.
The Parkdale petition, set up by Steve Cruickshanks on the website www. change.org, was signed by 1918 people as of Wednesday this week.
It states: “My mother and a few poor souls live in this lovely home which Perth and Kinross Council are determined to close.”
The online form continues: “They say it needs lots of work required which is a lie. It is near full capacity and the staff are great. It has all the mod cons etc and is spotless.”
Mr Cruichshanks’ petition also highlights what he feels is the care facility’s high rating in terms of the standard of care on offer and goes on to question the need for the local authority to spend money on “silly LED lights to highlight walls in [Perth]”.
A spokesperson for the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership said: “The review of care home provision is currently under way and no decision has been taken in this regard to date.
“The findings of the review will be considered at the health and social care partnership integrated joint board in January.”
Mid Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP Liz Smith said of the situation: “Auchterarder is growing fast and is one of the UK’s most desirable retirement locations and the Parkdale home must remain open to serve this community.
“Residents in Auchterarder are happy with the service and level of care offered at Parkdale and are understandably concerned by the threat of closure.”
Robert Packham, chief officer for the health and social care partnership, said following the launch of the consultation: “This review has come at the right time. The integration joint board is investing significant amounts of public money in care at home services. These two care homes [Beechgrove and Parkdale] have been underoccupied for some time now because people are choosing care that allows them to stay at home.”
Parkdale can provide accommodation for up to 40 people.
Beechgrove’s capacity is 28, while Dalween can cater for up to 16.
The next meeting of the integrated joint board takes place on January 26.