Joy as Hillcrest is saved from threat of closure

Girvan’s Hillcrest Care Home has been saved from closure after a five-year battle for survival.

In a dramatic development late last Friday, South Ayrshire Council bowed to public and political pressure and announced that Hillcrest would not be closing. It has also been agreed that the existing staff will remain in position and that a new manager will be appointed soon.

The decision marks the end of a long fight to secure the future of the McConnell Square home after it had come under threat of closure and demolition.

A jubilant Denis Reid, chairman of the Friends of Hillcrest support group, paid tribute to all those who were involved in helping to secure the future of the much-loved establishment which opened in 1978. He thanked staff, residents and their families and the carers who had rallied round. He also hailed the strong support which he and his group had received from all of Girvan’s councillors. It was they, he said, who had “taken the fight” to County Buildings and they had worked hard to achieve the successful outcome.

The announcement came late on Friday at a crunch meeting between the council’s head of social work and housing, Kenny Leinster, and the Friends of Hillcrest, which was also attended by all three councillors. Key to the decision was the outcome of regular inspections by the Care Inspectorate, which has consistently commented favourably on the high standards of care and commitment enjoyed by the home’s residents.

Mr Reid said: “This is wonderful news for staff and residents alike.

“It tells staff that their jobs are safe and it means that residents do not now have to worry about where they are going to stay.”