Political figures, including the Scotland’s economy secretary, have written an open letter in a bid to save a care home in South Lanarkshire.
Five SNP politicians have written to the Integration Joint Board (IJB) ahead of its meeting on Tuesday, March 26 where members will decide the ultimate fate of McClymont House in as well as Dewar House in Hamilton.
The representatives who have signed the letter have opposed the closure from the beginning, and have supported efforts made by the campaign group Save McClymont.
Mairi McAllan, cabinet secretary for wellbeing and net zero and MSP for Clydesdale, joins councillors Jullia Marrs, David Shearer, Ian McAllan and Ross Clark in signing the letter.
The letter reads: “We write in our respective capacities as local SNP elected representatives and candidates for Clydesdale, to voice our opposition once again to the proposed closure of McClymont House Care Home in Lanark.
“As you will be aware, the recent public consultation on the proposal, found significant and overwhelming evidence of support for keeping open what is the last remaining publicly-run care home in Clydesdale.
“It is incumbent now that the responses from this consultation inform the deliberations and decisions which the IJB will be taking soon.
“There is clear public concern that the IJB intends to steamroll through closure, despite the outcome of the consultation report.
“As public representatives, it is our responsibility to represent the people who elect us; and it is their interests which are paramount. We cannot ignore such an emphatic response from the public.
“Nor would it be acceptable to close what is the last facility left of its kind in the whole of Clydesdale.
“The families of residents at McClymont House have made their case eloquently, and we remain firmly on their side in arguing for the IJB and the Labour-led South Lanarkshire Council to reconsider their options going forward, before taking such a consequential decision for our constituents.
“We will continue to speak up for Clydesdale and defend our much valued public services. McClymont House should be kept open; and we call on the IJB to support its retention.”
A spokesperson for the IJB said: “Members of the IJB will consider all options presented to them in order to balance the budget for the coming year, including the absolute necessity to address a recurring budget shortfall of over £19m for adult and older people’s social care in South Lanarkshire.
“The IJB has a legal obligation to set a balanced budget.”
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