New East Lothian Care Homes Planned

THREE new purpose-built care homes, providing a total of 180 beds, are to be built as part of East Lothian Council’s long-term approach to tackling the rapidly ageing county population.

The proposed care homes – augmenting plans to support more local pensioners to live independently – are contained in the draft ‘Strategy for Older People in East Lothian’ report which was discussed at Tuesday’s council meeting.

The 100-page document will help shape the development of health and social care services in the county over the next 12 years, changing the way in which many services are provided.

In his report to Tuesday’s meeting, acting head of adult social care Gordon Miller said: “While we do not envisage any growth in the number of care home places that we provide or purchase, we plan to develop three purpose-built care homes that will provide a ‘home for life’ for older people.

As well as nursing care, the homes will also provide specialist care for people with dementia and will be able to support older people at the end of their lives.

“They will therefore provide the care currently provided in NHS Continuing Care beds. We envisage the homes will be jointly provided.”

A recent survey by the GMB union said East Lothian had a total of 688 care home beds for people with old age, dementia, physical disability or sensory impairment.

The proposed care homes will be located at Musselburgh (former Brunton Wireworks site), Tranent (behind Sanderson’s Wynd Primary School) and at a still-to be-determined third site serving the eastern half of the county.

The draft older people’s strategy also proposes a community rehabilitation service, including a 24-hour response service, and better support for carers through more flexible respite services.

Councillors noted the document’s contents and agreed to discuss it further at the next full council meeting on February 24, prior to the launch of a three-month public consultation period.

Latest population projections for the county suggest the number of people aged 75-85 will increase from 5,917 in 2008 to 7,169 in 2020. It is also predicted that the number of people aged 85 and over will increase from the current estimated figure of 2,189 to 3,199 during the same period.

Councillor Ruth Currie, cabinet member for adult social care, said: “East Lothian has seen a steady increase in population with a rapid growth in the number of older people. As this trend is set to continue, it is essential that the county’s health and social care services are developed to support these demographic changes.”