A Labour MSP is trying to gather enough support to raise Fife’s controversial care homes issue at the Scottish Parliament.
But Fife Council has rubbished Mid Scotland and Fife member Claire Baker’s efforts, claiming her party had “no credible alternative” to the local authority’s decision to close all 10 of its care homes and allow the private sector to take over.
Ms Baker lodged a motion on February 21 stating the move caused “great concern among staff, care home users and their families” and called on the council to reconsider.
The motion also states the SNP/Lib Dem-run council appeared to have ignored the findings of its own public consultation. Around three-quarters of those who responded to the consultation more than 600 rejected the privatisation plans.
“This issue should be debated in parliament and I would encourage MSPs from all parties to get behind the motion I am tabling for debate,” said Ms Baker. “Fife deserves better than SNP-led care home cuts.
“This is a cold-hearted and irresponsible decision that risks jobs and elderly care. Fife Council needs to rethink this damaging move. I hope that Fife MSPs will agree that this issue needs to be discussed at Holyrood and support the motion I am putting forward.”
Peter Grant, the leader of the Fife Council administration, said, “This is blatant political posturing. It has nothing to do with the quality of care for old folk. It has everything to do with someone making one last attempt to use their position as a list MSP to promote their election campaign.
“Ms Baker lodged the motion over two weeks ago and the response even among Fife Labour MSPs has been so poor she’s having to issue a press statement pleading with her own party colleagues to support her.
“Despite the continued irresponsible scaremongering by Labour, the council’s decisions mean that our old folk will stay where they are until there’s a brand new care home close by for them to move into and where they will continue to receive the best residential care in Scotland.
“If Labour want a debate they should tell us what their alternative is. They can’t do this because they have no credible alternative.”