Councillors warn of dire need for new care home

Highland councillors have warned there could be dire social and economic consequences if a proposal to replace Invernevis House care facility at Fort William is shelved.

They say there is increasing demand for residential and nursing-care services but caution against leaving its provision to the private sector where there is instability and a high risk of market failure.

These are the views of Lochaber councillors Donald Cameron, Michael Foxley, Bren Gormley and Brian Murphy in a robust case for a new Invernevis facility.

It comes in the wake of a council decision in December to carry out a “business-case review” of plans to replace Invernevis and four other proposed council-run care homes at a cost of more than £30million.

Opponents have expressed fears that the review, due to be completed shortly, is a “smokescreen” to allow the strapped-for-cash council to shelve the programme as it attempts to balance budgets.

Planning consent has already been granted for a new care home to be built at Ardgour Road, Caol, while permission has also been given for a 60-bed private facility at Camaghael.

In their report, the Lochaber councillors cite increasing demand, Fort William’s comparative isolation, the potential for savings in the current Invernevis budget and the “instability” of private care provision as sound reasons for continuing with the local project.

The study said: “The risk of market failure is high, with three homes closing locally in the past few years. There are increasing numbers of private homes closing, which is a matter of national concern.

“In addition to the threat of private homes closing, the local authority has no direct control or influence over the provision of private care – what is offered, where, quality and continuity – yet the authority retains a responsibility for ensuring provision regardless.”

The report, due to be presented to the full council in May, says that currently there are no available private care-home beds within Lochaber, with Moss Park, which has 40 nursing beds, at Caol being full.

The report argues that the current running costs for Invernevis can be reduced by about a third by “re-working” of excessive staff costs and saving on utility, laundry and grocery bills.

A “full micro-review of Invernevis” will be conducted and councillors say any comparative cost exercise with the private sector must be based on what Highland Council actually pays per bed rather than National Care Home contract rates.

Mr Foxley said: “We very much want our detailed work to ensure a new Invernevis residential and nursing home is built.”