Mixed results for health and social care hubs after trial

Five community health hubs set up for a two-year trial are to close.

The hubs, established in community venues to offer advice and information on health and social care, have worked well in some communities but not in others. Six hubs will be retained.

Agreeing to restructure the service, the Integration Joint Board heard mixed results across the county. Linlithgow and Winchburgh saw poor footfall for its health hub services – named Community Connections – but the one in Fauldhouse quickly became an invaluable service to the village making a “tremendous difference”.

The board agreed to shut the hubs in Craigsfarm, Livingston, East Calder, Linlithgow, Winchburgh and Boghall in Bathgate. A report to the board said the closures were based on the “considerably low footfall in these hubs alongside these communities having access to a range of other community resources.”

Following a study over the winter after a two-year trial, it was decided that the hubs in Broxburn, Fauldhouse, Armadale and Blackburn would stay open; the facility in Livingston North will continue but move to an alternative venue as will the hub in West Calder, which will relocate to Polbeth.

It was also agreed that there needs to be dedicated staff within each hub, which are staffed by health and social care employees and also members of the council’s Advice Shop team.

Karen Love, Senior Manager, Adult Services said she would monitor the demands for the service and it could be reintroduced in areas if there was a loss of existing services.