A Perth councillor has lamented how the care of the elderly has become a “political football”.
Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership’s Integration Joint Board (IJB) opted to close Beechgrove House Care Home in Perth. The decision was branded a “democratic outrage” and led to councillors Eric Drysdale and Xander McDade storming out of the meeting in disgust. Campaigners had striven to keep Beechgrove House Care Home open and delivered a 2,000-signature petition to the IJB’s chief officer, Rob Packham.
Peter Barrett, a Liberal Democrat representative for the Perth City Centre, said: “The future reshaping of care for the elderly and the shift from institutional care to care at home was until very recently a matter on which there was political consensus, and one on which it was generally agreed that more rapid progress had to be made.
“It was an issue which wasn’t kicked around like a political football.”
He continued: “Sadly, that is no longer the case, and if events of recent months don’t prove this then this motion to close the Beechgrove Care Home in Perth surely did. The days of parking party politics at the door of the IJB also seem to be gone.
“When it comes to the future of older people and residential care, residents and families deserve better than political show-boating and game playing.
“The IJB is going to be faced with a continuous stream of difficult decisions and challenges in transforming health and social care.”
A council spokesperson confirmed that the local authority “disapproved” of the decision and subsequently asked Councillor Murray Lyle, leader Perth and Kinross Council, to write to the chair of the Perth and Kinross IJB.
A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Following the decision of the IJB to close Beechgrove Care Home, we have begun a process of engagement on the necessary transition arrangements.
“The review of care homes which informed the IJB decision included an extensive consultation process with staff and residents, their families and other stakeholders.
“There is currently a formal consultation underway with staff and the Partnership is committed to supporting employees during the Beechgrove transition process. Unions have been kept fully briefed during the staff consultation.”
He said they had also started to work with residents and their families to explore “suitable alternative placements.”
