Politicians tell of pride at helping to save care units from merger plot
Politicians have reacted to a decision to reject a controversial proposal to combine two day services for vulnerable people in Renfrewshire.
The suggested merger of the Mirin and Milldale centres for adults with learning disabilities and autism was voted down at a special meeting of the integration joint board (IJB) last week.
The IJB – responsible for oversight of the health and social care partnership (HSCP) – reconsidered the recommendation to amalgamate the centres after being split down the middle on how to proceed in March. On this occasion, it was refused after a 5-3 vote.
Councillor Jacqueline Cameron, member of the IJB and SNP candidate for Paisley and Renfrewshire South in the upcoming General Election, was one of the five who voted to reject the idea.
Afterwards, the Johnstone South and Elderslie representative said: “It is clear how much these services mean to them [carers] and their loved ones, and I was proud to be part of the decision-making which will make life that bit easier for them.
“People with a learning disability often get a rough deal in life and especially through the pandemic, life was very tough for them, so I was glad I could do something positive to redress that balance.”
The proposal – one of a number of cost-cutting measures put forward by the HSCP in November in the face of a budget black hole of almost £15 million – would have provided a saving of £458,000.
However, the status quo will now be maintained – a development that has also been welcomed by Neil Bibby, a Labour MSP for West Scotland.
He said: “I am absolutely delighted for all the day centre users and their families who have campaigned so hard to save these lifeline services.
“I know the closure and merger plans would have been devastating for vulnerable adults with learning disabilities in our community.”
Councillor David McGonigle, a Conservative representative for Houston, Crosslee and Linwood, described the outcome as a “wonderful and incredible victory” for campaigners.
He said: “They have fought this planned merger tirelessly at every turn and their voices have at long last been heard by decision-makers.
“Almost 4,000 people signed a petition which showed the strength of feeling against the proposals. I have been proud to stand alongside them since these totally misguided plans were brought forward.
“They should never have been on the table and I have heard first-hand as to just how devastating a merger of these vital centres would have been for some of my most vulnerable constituents.”
Councillor Anne Hannigan, Liberal Democrat councillor for Paisley Southwest, said she was “absolutely delighted” to hear of the decision.
She added: “The centres truly are a lifeline to the users of the services and their families, and the relief felt by them all after such a protracted period of fear and uncertainty will be immense.
“This was always a very poorly thought out policy by people who just didn’t understand what these centres provide for their users.”
Other savings and more than £7m of reserves were used to plug the deficit and secure a balanced budget for 2024/25 after it was agreed at the IJB in March.
But the financial picture remains stark going forward with a gap of approximately £11.835m estimated for 2025/26 and £34.984m in 2026/27.
An HSCP spokesperson said: “We will be working with IJB members in the coming months and will seek their direction on how we can best address the significant budget gap we face.”