Shock at Bield closure plans

Broxburn and Linlithgow homes to shut

One of Scotland’s biggest care providers is to close its care homes – including two in West Lothian.

Bield has announced that it will shut all 12 of its residential care homes by July 2018, including St Andrew’s Court in Broxburn and West Port in Linlithgow.

Chief executive Brian Logan said the closures were down to the “considerable challenges and financial constraints” facing the social care sector.

He said: “The way organisations provide services to older people has changed significantly from the position 20 to 30 years ago.

“Changes in technology, the way housing is constructed and the expectations of the ever-growing older population all continue to move at pace.

“Like others in the social care sector, we are facing considerable challenges and financial constraints, meaning we constantly have to look differently at how we operate.

“To continue as we have done previously would compromise the vital work we do to support and care for thousands of older people across Scotland.”

The chief executive said the closures are part of a five- year strategy to transform the Bield organisation.

He said: “As a result of this new strategy we have made the very difficult decision to withdraw from the residential care home market by July 2018.

“This decision affects all our 12 care homes in Scotland.

“In a small number of cases discussions are continuing with alternative providers which would mean the services could continue.

“The decision is very much a last resort option. We have carefully considered a wide range of options to continue delivery of these services.

“However, we have been unable to find a solution that will be viable in the longer term.”

Livingston MP Hannah Bardell said: “I have written to the chief executive seeking a meeting and will be contacting the care homes directly.

“Like my colleagues I am deeply concerned for the residents and, as a regular visitor to the Bield care homes in my constituency, I know how much the residents value the care and their homes within the Bield facilities.

“If anyone has any concerns about family members they are very welcome to contact my office directly.”

Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow, said: “I fully understand this is a distressing time for residents living in Bield Care Homes across West Lothian and for their families and also for the employees that work with Bield.

“I have spoken to health officials in the Scottish Government and I understand that they have been engaging with the Care Inspectorate and chief officers of integration authorities to ensure that plans are put in place to ensure that residents’ care needs are a priority and that they will continue to be met in an appropriate setting.”

Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, said: “Since entering parliament I have been saying that social care is one of the biggest issues facing our country.

“The sector is in a real crisis situation and here is clear evidence of it.

“Many residents of Bield’s West Lothian care homes will be very worried about their future. I am seeking an urgent meeting with the company to discuss the impact on their tenants.”

Shadow health secretary Miles Briggs, a Lothians MSP, said: “This is devastating and unsettling news for residents living in Bield’s care homes and their families.

“It’s also another very worrying sign of just how much pressure the residential care home sector is under.

“The Scottish Government has been warned repeatedly about these matters and has failed to address the very real concerns of care home providers.”

Bield said it will hold consultation meetings to discuss what options are available to those affected.

This is devastating and unsettling news for residents and their families