Deal Over Elderly Care Announced

A deal over provision for the elderly in the Glencoe and Ballachulish area has been struck, heralding the closure of the 19th-century Glencoe Hospital. It could close its doors as early as April, but it is more likely to shut in the summer.

Glencoe had been saved from closure earlier this year after nurses agreed to increase their hours. But, in October, a review of provision for NHS Highland revealed significant asbestos had been found. It estimated it would cost more than £1m to remove the material from the four-storey mansion, which overlooks Loch Leven and was reputed to have been built by Lord Strathcona.

The hospital costs the health board more than £1m a year to run, despite latterly having only seven long-stay patients. Yesterday the health board announced that there was an “agreement to develop a contract” with Highland Council and Abbeyfield House in Ballachulish, a purpose-built residential home just a few miles from Glencoe Hospital. It is run by Abbeyfield, a non-profit organisation.

The deal, which will be formally announced in the new year, will mean up to 24 beds are available for nursing care in Abbeyfield, many more than have existed locally at present.

Nurses will be seconded for a two-year period to the centre, after which the necessary nursing staff will be employed.

Gill McVicar, general manager of the Mid Highland Community Health Partnership, said: “We have listened to what people have had to say. While they don’t want Glencoe Hospital to close, they appreciate that because of the physical condition of the building it has to. However, people have told us they want their local service to stay as local as possible.

“We are entering into a partnership that will see community and nursing services not only remain, but be enhanced in the area. We will have a service that will see day care and lunch clubs that are currently provided in Glencoe Hospital transferred to Abbeyfield, where the accommodation is far superior.

“We will also have a base for community staff, including nurses and community workers, in the building along with a base that therapists such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and others can potentially work from.”