Feasibility study rules out like-for-likeLT replacement for Strontian care home
A feasibility study of the Dail Mhor care home site in Strontian has found that redevelopment plans for a replacement modern care home are technically feasible but financially impractical.
The 75-page report by consultants Duncan MacPherson and Faye Macleod, with architect Alan Dickson of Rural Design, recommended alternative models for improving social care at Dail Mhor be investigated rather than a likefor-like replacement building.
Reasons for the recommendation included government policy leaning towards enhanced homecare provision and care homes requiring more than 10 beds to be financially stable based on current per-person NHS payments.
Dail Mhor consists of a six-person residential respite care centre run by NHS Highland, as well as a GP surgery, Strontian village hall, and the former primary school.
Commissioned by charity
Urram, which offers care support across Wester Lochaber, the study into the Strontian site lasted a year. Findings were compiled in January but released on Tuesday May 23.
Describing enhanced medical facilities in Strontian as “clearly not fit for purpose”, the report also suggested Urram collaborate with the NHS to design a new facility to meet community needs, including co-location for a district nursing team, plus the provision of additional services such as physiotherapy.
Plans for a new village hall in Sunart may also be incorporated into a care solution.
Commenting on the findings, James Hilder, chairperson of Urram, said: “While replacing like with like would be preferable in terms of replacing buildings, this is sadly just not financially viable or a sustainable model of care for our communities.
“Rather than see the peninsula lose a care facility, we must take the opportunity to work closely with NHS Highland to design social care services and some buildings that have the potential to serve more people in our communities than just those seeking residential care."
Pamela Cremin, NHS Highland’s interim chief officer of Health and Social Care, said care services were required to meet the need for place-based care following a “home first” ethos.
She added that NHS Highland and Highland Council are developing a strategy for care services and Dail Mhor could form the foundation of a number of co-located support services for Ardnamurchan communities.
Separate to the feasibility study, Ardgour Community
Council has reported that two applicants for a position at Dail Mhor withdrew earlier this year due to extensive delays in application checks.
Staffing shortages have plagued Dail Mhor in recent years, forcing the home to operate beneath capacity throughout 2022.
Michael Foxley, the vice chairperson of Ardgour community council, said it was a disgrace that people were waiting more than four months to be hired.
The sentiment was echoed by Mr Hilder, who said Urram was “deeply disappointed with this recent development” and recruitment struggles were a disaster for remote communities.
Highland councillor Angus MacDonald raised the acute difficulties being felt across social care in the Highlands in a letter sent to media outlets last week.
Outlining a brew of rising costs, staffing shortages, and lack of staff housing, Councillor MacDonald said the Care Inspectorate’s suggested optimum number of 60 care home residents was impossible for many rural homes.
He added that the National Care contract’s payment to care homes of £830 per person per week needed to be £1,200 to be economically viable and pay fair wages.
“We have seen a trickle of care homes close over the last few years. If we don’t see action, we will see a massive shortage of capacity,” the letter said.
The concern comes as the Scottish Government is inviting input from people across Scotland on a new National Care Service.