Skye care home to close at short notice
By News Scotland
A HEALTH board is striving to find alternative accommodation after a Skye care home suddenly announced to its five residents and 14 staff it is to close.
A local councillor has voiced his fears the elderly residents may be “shipped off” the island, leaving relatives facing long distance journeys for visits.
The owners of Hilton Care Home in Broadford, Skye, are understood to have informed their staff and residents about the closure last week.
An NHS Highland spokesman said: “NHS Highland has been advised that the operators of Hilton Care Home in Skye intend to close the service at short notice.
“NHS Highland will work closely with the operators to ensure that the five residents currently house within Hilton Care Home will be offered appropriate accommodation and care in alternative services as soon as possible.”
He added: “We are endeavouring to find alternative accommodation for the residents on Skye if possible.”
However local councillor Hamish Fraser said he hoped residents would not be “shipped off” the island, leaving relatives long distances to visit their loved ones.
He added: “The shortage of care home places in Skye and Lochalsh is a major concern.
“It will be difficult for NHS Highland to find suitable beds in this locality. We have a long waiting list for places in care homes and this really has to be looked at.”