1,500 people sign up to save care home

Petition: Online protest to try to keep Auchterarder facility open

Council bosses are facing growing pressure to save an under-threat Perthshire care home.

More than 1,500 people have signed a petition calling for the Parkdale complex at Auchterarder to be kept open.

The facility, which provides accommodation for up to 40 people, is being reviewed as part of a wider consultation of ageing, local authorityrun homes.

Perth and Kinross Council is considering the fate of two other places: Beechgrove in Perth, which has 28 beds, and 16-bed Dalweem in Aberfeldy.

The local authority said there was no guarantee the move would not result in job losses.

Each of the homes is more than 20 years old and in need of extensive upgrading. They have also been underoccupied for several years.

According to the council and the Health and Social Care Partnership – which is leading the review – more people are choosing specialist nursing instead of residential care.

However, the move has angered families with loved ones at Parkdale.

An online petition calling for the New School Lane complex to stay open has attracted more than 1,500 signatures in just a few days.

Elizabeth McClymont, whose mother stays at the home, said: “The reason we’ve been given is that Parkdale needs extensive renovations.

“It is a fairly new building and each section has been refurbished over the last four years.

“My 94-year-old mother has been a resident for four years. Our family in Auchterarder could not be happier about the level of care she receives.

“The staff are exemplary and treat her like a member of their own family.”

She added: “The fact that some forprofit care homes are closing due to bankruptcy would make it likely there will be increased demand for NHS care home beds. It doesn’t make much sense.”

The petition at the change.org website was set up by Steve Cruickshank, from Perth, whose mother stays at Parkdale.

“All the residents treat this as their home now and it would be upsetting to rehome them and cause undue stress which could affect their health,” he said.

Council bosses have stressed no decision has been taken and the outcome of the consultation will be reported in January.

Robert Packham, chief officer for the health and social care partnership, said: “This review has come at the right time.

“These care homes have been underoccupied for some time now because people are choosing care that allows them to stay at home.”

He added: “When people are at the stage of needing care, they are more often requiring a place in a nursing home. Discussions about the future of these care homes will involve residents, families and staff, along with other care providers.”

My 94-yearold mother has been a resident for four years. Our family in Auchterarder could not be happier about the level of care she receives