Leslie House care home in Motherwell faces closure

A MOTHERWELL care home for the elderly appears set to be axed by North Lanarkshire Council.

A recent report from Duncan MacKay, head of social work development, recommends that Leslie House in Motherwell is “no longer fit for purpose” and therefore shouldn’t accept any new residents – effectively sentencing the facility to closure.

This recommendation is expected to be ratified by councillors at next month’s full council meeting.

A year ago, Herbison House Care Home in Shotts suffered a similar fate and is now no longer operational.

At present, Leslie House is functioning near capacity with 33 elderly residents. The facility can accommodate up to 40 people.

At a recent meeting, residents and their relatives were told of the plans.

The daughter of one elderly resident who did not wish to be named said: “A lot of people are very upset by this news. My mother is very happy in Leslie House and the thought of her going back to living on her own – regardless of whether she’s supported or not – is not one she’s relishing.

“My mum is determined that she’s not going to leave Leslie House but my concern is what happens if other existing residents go?

“With fewer and fewer people there, it’s bound to increase pressure on those remaining to move on.”

Duncan MacKay said: “We’ve invested heavily in services aimed at supporting people in their own homes, in keeping with the wishes of the majority of older people.

“As a result, most people who now require a care home admission have nursing needs which require to be met in a nursing home environment.

“In 2008, we approved a report that agreed to invest in four identified residential care homes by creating en-suite single room facilities, with an increasing focus on assessment and rehabilitation.

“Leslie House was not one of those identified and for some time people have been aware that there were no plans to modernise the home.

“At a recent meeting of the housing and social work services committee, the proposal to cease new admissions to Leslie House was remitted to the next full council meeting.

“We have met with our residents and their relatives to explain the position and reassure them about their future care. No resident will be required to leave the home and at all times we remain sensitive to the needs of the people who live there.

“We aspire to provide the best level of support possible to vulnerable older people. And our Living Well approach here in North Lanarkshire ensures that in each area a range of partnership services offer a wide spectrum of support for older people.”

Councillor Alan Valentine, SNP leader on housing and social work, said: “North Lanarkshire Council are making a huge error of judgement here.

“We have a growing elderly population who need more choices.

“I fully understand we are in financially difficult times and that Leslie House needs modernised, but surely this work should be carried out.

“Supported living is all well and good but is not the be-all and end-all.

“With this policy, the council are effectively putting all their eggs in the one basket.

“The council need to re-appraise their residential care home strategy as this closure will hit those elderly people in the community who need it most.”