One of Edinburgh's biggest care homes to close sparking fears over provision
| Published date | 25 April 2024 |
| Author | Donald Turvill |
| Publication title | EdinburghLive (Scotland) |
It comes just a month after it was agreed to close two of Edinburgh's council-run care homes, with a combined 71 beds, to help plug a £60m black hole in the health and social care partnership's finances.
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Even before these were announced, a councillor said, the city had "significantly fewer care home beds per head than the Scottish average". He called on the local authority to acquire Braid Hills to meet the care needs of an "ageing population".
The Liberton Drive facility has dedicated units for nursing care, dementia care and one for 18-65 year-olds with rehabilitation needs. However it is "under-occupied" and "overstaffed," officials told councillors last week.
BUPA said it had "become increasingly challenging to operate in this region" and took the "very difficult decision" after exploring "all options".
Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP) said it had initiated its "well-established closure plan".
It said work was already underway to identify places in other care homes for Braid Hill's 42 residents who are the responsibility of the council. "We will work with residents, their loved ones and staff to make sure that the transition to new arrangements is as smooth as possible and that we will meet the needs of those affected."
Other local authorities responsible for a further 11 people living in the care home have been alerted to its closure.
Last week BUPA formally served notice to EHSCP of its intention to close Braid Hills, commencing a 13-week notice period. It means residents will have to vacate the building by July 22. However it is "entirely possible" the home will become "unsustainable" before this date as staff find alternative employment, a briefing note to councillors said.
"BUPA has advised that the home is currently over staffed for the number of residents . . . the home has been under occupied for a long period," it added.
BUPA has offered 26 members of staff employed under visa schemes new jobs at one of it's care homes in England, as Braid Hills is understood to be the company's last remaining facility in Scotland.
Independent councillor Ross McKenzie said: "This is starting to look like a perfect storm for the...
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