The future of a vacant council care home in Perth is being reviewed by the local authority.
Despite protests and petitions from the families of care home residents, Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership Integration Joint Board (IJB) controversially axed Beechgrove House, the city’s last council-run care home.
Sign off on the closure was agreed in contentious circumstances when the IJB’s chairwoman and NHS Tayside representative Linda Dunion didn’t allow elected councillors the opportunity to vote in favour of saving the home.
More than 2,500 people signed a petition to keep the 18-bed care home in use but the premises was decanted in August last year in a bid to save just over half a million pounds.
Now the building, located in Perth’s Oakbank neighbourhood, is used by various health and social care teams as a base.
However, the local authority have confirmed they are looking into the future of the site.
The council-owned complex has grown in size this year, with Perth Toy Library moving out of a building in the care home’s grounds in April.
Perth City South councillor Willie Wilson explained that options such as housing and sheltered housing are being looked at for the site.
He said: “The building at Beechgrove House is currently used as a staff base and there are plans to relocate staff in due course.
“It is my clear understanding that no decisions have been taken by the council about the future of the building or site.
“A number of options are due to be considered and I understand these include a caring role for elderly people who need support, as well as the option of housing and sheltered housing.
“I would expect an options appraisal paper will come forward in due course.”
Last week, Perth and Kinross Council’s planners signed off on proposals for a new 80-bed care home at the site of The Atrium offices on the city’s Glover Street.
A council spokesperson added: “The building is currently used as a base for several teams of staff that support the Council and the Health and Social Care Partnership and provide vital services to the community, such as the rapid response team and the community alarm team.
“There are currently no agreed plans for the future use of Beechgrove however we are currently looking at all of the options available and will make a recommendation when a preferred option is identified.
“People have told us they want the support and care they need in their own home rather than in a residential care home setting. There is a reducing need for residential care as people remain at home for longer.
“Demand for placements in the Partnership’s care homes has reduced as the number of people who receive care at home has increased. This decline in demand is expected to continue over time.”
