Residents to be given voice in big care homes shake-up

The public are being urged to have their say on the future of ageing council-run care homes.

A consultation is under way to decide the fate of three Perthshire facilities: Beechgrove in Perth, Parkdale at Auchterarder and Dalweem in Aberfeldy.

Each of the homes is more than 20 years old and in need of extensive upgrading. They have also been under-occupied for several years as elderly people increasingly opt to stay at home for longer.

According to Perth and Kinross Council and the Health and Social Care Partnership – who are leading the review – more people are choosing specialist nursing as opposed to residential care.

The review has now been opened to the public, with consultation on four options.

Council chiefs are considering a halt to providing care beds at Beechgrove and Parkdale but the retention of 50 care home places, commissioned from other care home providers.

Another option is to retain Beechgrove as a residential facility, stop providing care beds at Parkdale and commission 30 care home beds from other providers.

Officers are also consulting on a proposal to retain Parkdale and cease care beds at Beechgrove. Parkdale would then become an intermediate care unit to help people discharge from hospital more quickly.

A final option is to do nothing. A final decision is likely to be made in the new year.

Robert Packham, chief officer of health and social care, said: “This review has come at the right time. The Integrated Joint Board is investing significant amounts of public money.”