Motherwell care home faces closure

Sep 2 2010 by Leona Greenan, Hamilton Advertiser

THE future of a Lanarkshire care home was this week in the balance after it was deemed “not fit for purpose”.

In a council report it was recommended that new admissions to Leslie House, Motherwell, residential care home for the elderly are to cease.

The report states that the home, based in Merry Street, is “no longer fit for purpose”.

Leslie House currently has 33 residents under their care with space for 40 people. However, the facility has not been identified as one for retention and investment by the local authority – which ultimately could seal its fate.

The recommendation to cease new admissions is expected to be approved by councillors at a full council meeting later this month.

If so, no existing residents will be required to leave but individual discussions will take place with residents and family members to explore alternatives if they wish to do so.

Duncan MacKay, head of Social Work Development, said: “We’ve invested heavily in services aimed at supporting people in their own homes, in keeping with the wishes of the majority of older people.

“As a result, most people who now require a care home admission have nursing needs which require to be met in a nursing home environment.

“In 2008, we approved a report that agreed to invest in four identified residential care homes by creating en-suite single room facilities, with an increasing focus on assessment and rehabilitation.

“Leslie House was not one of those identified and for some time people have been aware that there were no plans to modernise the home.

“At a recent meeting of the housing and social work services committee, the proposal to cease new admissions to Leslie House was remitted to the next full council meeting.

“We have met with our residents and their relatives to explain the position and reassure them about their future care. No resident will be required to leave the home and at all times we remain sensitive to the needs of the people who live there.

“We aspire to provide the best level of support possible to vulnerable older people. And our Living Well approach here in North Lanarkshire ensures that in each area a range of partnership services offer a wide spectrum of support for older people.”