Talks held over potential closure of five care homes

Talks are to be held over plans to close several care homes in Edinburgh that would put 211 residential places at risk.

The Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) announced plans in June to shut four care homes in the capital – namely Ford’s Road, Clovenstone, Jewel House and Ferrylee homes.

Plans to change a fifth home, Drumbrae, from a care home to a facility providing hospital-based complex clinical care were also revealed.

The plans have been met with opposition from unions and local pressure group AEIP, who are hosting a public meeting on Thursday to try and save the five council-run care homes from closure.

The main concern of the groups is how the plans will impact Edinburgh’s ageing population. The manner in which the announcements were handled will also be raised.

Pete Cannell, a spokesperson for AEIP said: “The five homes slated for closure are quite simply the homes of the residents.

“Closure would mean a huge upheaval in their lives. And yet the proposals for closure were made public with no consultation with residents, their families, or the unions that represent the care workers.

“The first that anyone knew was when workers were summoned to meetings at short notice. This is no way to run a care service.”

Unison previously launched an online petition against the care home closures, which has been signed by 2000 people.

Unison’s Edinburgh city branch secretary Tom Connolly said: “Closing four care homes and changing the role of another, without proper and meaningful consultation is wrong.

“It is devastating for the residents.

“It’s also insensitive to staff who have put the health and wellbeing of care residents before themselves and their families, throughout this pandemic.

“Caring for our vulnerable elderly is a vital job, care homes are essential and care staff deserve support from all of us.”

Edinburgh City Council has been contacted for comment.