New Care Home Announced For Kirkcaldy

FIFE Council’s £40 million care home replacement scheme will begin with a new care home for Kirkcaldy. The town has been selected as the location for the first new home following a meeting last month.

Earlier this year, the social work and health committee agreed on the investment programme to provide new residential care homes across the Kingdom.

An implementation board was appointed, with the first task of agreeing a running order for the replacement programme.

The decision to prioritise Kirkcaldy was made based on the findings of a ‘Best Value’ review.

The town’s two Council-run homes, Raith Gates and Appin House, had already been identified for replacement to bring them into line with modern standards.

Irene Burt, project manager, said: “The investment programme really is great news for Fife and I am sure residents, not only in Kirkcaldy, will approve of the decision for the commencement of the programme.

“We will be working with residents, families, staff and other interested parties in the implementation process.

“Initially this will include identifying a suitable site and the design of the building.”

A technical officer has already been assigned to the Kirkcaldy project to begin the search for possible sites.

A consultation will then take place on the choice of site and the design of the home.

After a site has been agreed, a timescale for the build will be set out.
The size of the care home and the number of places to be accommodated has not yet been made clear.

Ms Burt added: “At this point in time we are looking at size and design options for the first care home and gathering views before any decisions are made.”

Councillor Tim Brett, chairman of the social work and health committee, said: “This is the start of a major investment in new care home facilities for the elderly in Fife.

“We intend to work closely with residents and their families to provide modern, state-of-the-art facilities for older people who need them and I look forward to getting regular updates from the board on the progress we are making.”

Councillor Alice Soper, chairman of Kirkcaldy area committee, added: “I am delighted that the investment will begin in Kirkcaldy, where there is an urgent need for a new home that meets modern standards and the needs of our senior citizens.”

Fife Council currently owns 10 care homes across the Kingdom, providing a total of 300 places for elderly people.