Sturgeon Approves Plan To Shut Geriatric Unit

Detailed proposals for new care services for the elderly in the Helensburgh and Lomond area were approved yesterday by Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon, marking the final chapter for the Jeannie Deans Unit in Helensburgh.

Despite local opposition, the facility, which provided residential care for the elderly, already seemed set for closure under the previous administration. The last patient was transferred from the facility at the town’s Victoria Infirmary in May and since then it has been run on a care and maintenance basis. Though the closure was expected, the local MSP last night condemned the timing.

Ms Sturgeon welcomed the NHS Highland and Argyll and Bute Council plans, saying they ensured the focus of future services would be person-centred. They would also improve access to local services and allow people to stay within their own communities for as long as possible.

She said: “All service redesign proposals can have personal implications for patients and their families, as well as for the broader community. It’s with this in mind that, in approving these detailed proposals, I particularly welcome the emphasis on the development of preventative, anticipatory and rehabilitative care; the increased access to respite and day care; and increased rapid intervention to prevent admission and support early discharge.”

But Jackie Baillie, the Labour MSP who represents the Helensburgh and Lomond areas, said: “We are awaiting a Social Work Agency report which is due to be published in October. I had hoped that in order to ensure the best possible standard of care for older people that the cabinet secretary would have waited until that had been released.”