Campaigners ‘kept waiting’ for Robison talks

Group opposed to Bield closures seeks health secretary meeting

Campaigners against care home closures say they are being given the cold shoulder by Shona Robison.

Nicola Sturgeon said at First Minister’s Questions last week that the health secretary would set up a meeting with representatives from Save Our Bield.

But the group says they are still waiting a week later for a “suitable offer” from the Scottish Government.

The clock is ticking for 167 vulnerable residents across the country, who are being forced out following the collapse of the care home provider.

Twelve Bield care homes are closing in Scotland, including three in Dunfermline and Glenrothes.

A spokeswoman for Save Our Bield described the uprooting of residents as “barbaric”.

“We have been trying to have meaningful dialogue with the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport,” the spokeswoman added.

“To date all we have had are generic sympathy letters that offer us no reassurance.

“Despite assurances from the First Minister, we have yet to be provided with a suitable appointment.

“Time after time we have shared our concerns about the welfare of our relatives and the devastating impact that these moves are having on them, but we are now on day six (since FMQs) and a meeting with the (health secretary) is yet to be arranged.”

The campaigners say the £315,000 required to plug Bield’s annual deficit and save families from distress is “peanuts”.

At FMQs last week, Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard called on the First Minister to intervene in a care home sector that is “on the brink of collapse”.

He raised the case of Nancy Sutherland, a 93-year-old woman who is being “evicted” from the Dunfermline care complex she has called home for more than two decades.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “The Cabinet Secretary recognises the urgency of this situation and is making every effort to meet with the Save Our Bield group.

“Unfortunately, the group have been unable to accept any of the number of options offered since the issue was raised at First Minister’s Questions last week and we are in discussions with the group following a further offer of a meeting.”

Bield has said decision to close the facilities in October was made following “many attempts” to make the operation financially viable.

Nancy Sutherland will have to leave her care home in Dunfermline.