Families rage at decision to close two care homes
Devastated families fighting to save two care homes in South Lanarkshire say the decision to close them will have“far-reaching consequences”.
The future of Dewar House in Hamilton and Mcclymont House in Lanark were both decided at a meeting on Tuesday of the South Lanarkshire Integrated Joint Board (IJB).
Despite opposition to the closures, including online petitions and a public consultation which showed overwhelming opposition to such a move, the IJB has agreed to wind them down and shut them later this year.
The closures will bring a projected saving of £1.5million to help reduce a “recurrent funding shortfall” of £19.5million.
Campaigning families slammed the decision as “heartbreaking”. Many of them tuned in to follow a live stream of the meeting and took aim at the way it was conducted. They were left confused when proceedings resumed following a comfort break with the subsequent agenda item.
Sylvia Stewart, employee director at NHS Lanarkshire, then raised concerns over the closures and asked that her name be withdrawn from what had already been recorded as a “unanimous” decision. Councillor Elise Frame added that she wasn’t in agreement either.
Emma Koubayssi, whose grandmother is a resident at Mcclymont House, said: “We all seemed to miss it, they took a break and then it was on to the next thing. We were all like, ‘what’s happening, what’s going on?.’ There were IJB members who didn’t know what was going on. We were shocked.
“It seems the budget is more important than people’s lives.
“They used the word ‘consultation’ so much within the meeting, but that doesn’t just mean you ask what people want, you actually have to listen. There’s been no willingness or desire from them to save Mcclymont House.”
An amendment, brought forward by councillor Eileen Logan (Clydesdale West) asked for the board to appeal to the Scottish Government for financial assistance to help address both immediate and recurring health and social care funding challenges in South Lanarkshire. It was agreed that if the appeal is successful before the next IJB meeting in June, the decision to close the two care homes will be reconsidered.
Tom Barrie, whose aunt Frances Thomson, 82, is a resident at Mcclymont House, said: “We’re all very despondent. I’m really disappointed and angry at the whole thing.
“I got the impression they’d made up their minds well before the meeting. We put forward an alternative proposal but they wouldn’t even consider it. As for going to the Scottish Government for funding, that’s just playing politics with our elderly relatives’ lives. They’re just looking to pass the buck. It’s shocking.”
Allana Mcdonald’s 92-year-old mum, who is from Crossford, also lives at Mcclymont House.
She said: “I just don’t think my mum will survive any move. Our family think this will kill her. We’ve fought so hard for this, it’s been an amazing campaign and we should be proud of ourselves, but at the end of the day we haven’t succeeded.
“The whole thing’s just been a tick-box exercise. And it’s not a massive saving they’re going to make.”
In a lengthy statement a spokesperson for the campaigning families, said: “We are absolutely devastated by the news to close Mcclymont House and are bitterly disappointed that many IJB members have decided to prioritise their statutory obligation to balance the budget over their statutory obligation to protect the frail and elderly in their communities.”
Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley (left) said: “I am extremely disappointed that these closures have been approved. The consultation results were clear, both Mcclymont House and Dewar House are valued services which should be retained.
“Neither Hamilton nor Clydesdale should be left without council-run residential care.
“Many of the families involved have contacted my office worried for what these closures will mean for their relatives.
“This will be a difficult time for them and for the staff of both facilities. I will continue to help those involved in any way I can.” Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse MSP Christina Mckelvie (inset below) said: “This outcome is devastating for the residents and their families and makes a mockery of the consultation process. I listened to my constituents who told me that closure is not an option for their vulnerable and elderly loved ones in Dewar House. South Lanarkshire IJB purports to protect services and support the most vulnerable across all our communities, but this is at stark odds with the decision to close Dewar House.
“This is the worst possible outcome for the residents and families of Dewar House. It is the responsibility of councils to spend money according to their priorities. As the local MSP, I expected that this would be via a meaningful consultation with communities, but the voices of the residents and families appear to have been ignored. I am here to support the families in whatever way I can going forward.”
A spokesperson for South Lanarkshire IJB said: “The IJB has robust and established procedures, supported with the oversight of a standards officer. These procedures, underpinned by openness and transparency, are adhered to rigorously in all instances, including yesterday’s business.
“No one has entered care services with a view to proposing or considering the closure of facilities and the gravity of today’s decision weighed heavily on all concerned.
“Shortly following business, all of those affected by the decision were communicated with to clearly outline the position and next steps. We understand this has, and continues to be, a worrying time for people affected and would seek to reassure that the ongoing wellbeing of all residents will remain our primary concern.”