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Achvarasdal Home Residential Homes In Caithness  

Kirk homes in Argyll & Bute Saved 3 October 03
The Church of Scotland Board of Social Responsibility today announced that their 3 residential care homes in Argyll & Bute will remain open. Following a meeting of Argyll & Bute Council's Strategic Policy Committee, agreement has been reached which secures the long-term future of Auchinlee in Campbeltown and Invereck in Dunoon, while Clyde View in Helensburgh will  stay open until 2007. In the meantime, discussions will continue about a possible alternative service for older people in the Helensburgh area after 2007 between the Board of Social Responsibility and Argyll & Bute Council.

The Kirk's Director of Social Work Ian Manson said: "We are delighted that this brings to an end the long period of uncertainty for the residents, their relatives and the staff of the 3 Argyll & Bute homes. It also means that through partnership with local authorities we have been able to secure the future of all 10 homes which had been facing closure."

Latest On Kirk Homes 3 October 03
Commenting on today's press reports, the Kirk's Director of Social Work Ian Manson said: "The Board of Social Responsibility has faced overwhelming financial pressures for many years. These pressures could have resulted in the closure of all our residential homes for older people. We are now delighted to have secured the future provision of care for the vast majority of our homes. This has been made possible by maximising our income as well as examining every aspect of our own expenditure.

A 3-year financial recovery plan was agreed by the Board of Social Responsibility in June. A major component of that was a proposed new staffing model. Staff in our residential homes have been advised of the proposals, and we are now entering into a period of consultation and negotiation which will last until mid-December with a view to implementing the final model in April 2004. Staff have also been made aware that the staffing model will not be finalised until the conclusion of these negotiations. Until these are completed we will not be in a position to know the implications for individual members of staff. However, as we move from our existing model to a future one, staff will be involved on an individual basis with regard to their role in the new model. If we find that not everyone is able to be accommodated in the new model, then we will consider redeployment to other Board services, early retirement, and voluntary redundancy, prior to any enforced redundancy of staff members. In this way, we will seek to minimise any negative impact on individual members of staff. It is right and proper that we engage with our staff directly and not through the media."

Future Of Further 7 Kirk Homes Secured 30 September 03
Achvarasdal At Reay Included


Achvarasdal Home

The Kirk's Board of Social Responsibility today said that it is delighted to have secured the future of a further 7 of its residential homes for older people which were earmarked for closure following its Strategic Review of services. A further announcement will be made on 2nd October about the future of the remaining 3 homes in Argyll and Bute.

In June the Board of Social Responsibility announced the results of a nine month Strategic Review which concluded that of its 31 residential services, 12 would remain open on their current sites, 5 would be reprovisioned, 4 would close, and a further 10 would close unless solutions were found to the problems they face.

Following a three month period of consultation with local authorities, the full Board met today (30 September) to consider the future of the 10 homes that were earmarked for closure. The Board announced that the future of 7 is now secure and those homes will remain open. The Board is awaiting the outcome of a meeting of the Strategic Policy Committee of Argyll and Bute Council in relation to the 3 remaining homes.

The Board's Convener, Rev Jim Cowie, said: "Back in June we said that we would leave no stone unturned in trying to secure the future of these 10 homes. We have certainly done that and we are now beginning to see the fruits of our labour. By working in partnership with local authorities we have been able to find the solutions to turn things around. We await further information for some homes but the indications at the moment look positive and we hope to reach a resolution in a matter of days."

COUNCIL WELCOMES RETENTION OF 30 Sep
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND HOMES

The Highland Council has welcomed news that the Church of Scotland�s Board of Social Responsibility has removed uncertainty over the future of three residential homes for older people, which were earmarked for closure following a strategic review of services.

In June, the Church had identified Achvarasdal, Reay; Oversteps, Dornoch; and Whinnieknowe, Nairn, for closure unless solutions were found to the financial problems they faced.

Following a three-month period of consultation with local councils, the Church has announced that the three homes will remain open.

The Highland Council Convener Councillor Alison Magee said: �This news is very welcome as it removes the uncertainty that has been hanging over the future of these three Church of Scotland homes and ends the worry of residents, their families and staff.

�The investment planned by the Church of Scotland at the three homes is a sound indication that the homes have a long term future.�

The Kirk's Director of Social Work Ian Manson commented: "We had to take some tough decisions back in June, including the implementation of a 3 year financial action plan, and we did so for the right reasons to ensure the future viability of the board and the quality and sustainability of the services we provide for older people.

It is great news for the 7 homes secured today and I am optimistic that solutions can be found for the remaining 3 homes. Since June we have been working very hard to develop partnerships with local authorities. Where a strategic need was identified by a local authority, and where the Board was in a position to meet that need, we had to consider the financial realities of providing a high quality and sustainable service in the area. By putting our own house in order and investing in quality with a programme of significant capital investment we have been able to secure a positive future.

This partnership approach means that we can remain in the business of caring for older people safe in the knowledge that our homes are sustainable and provide high quality care in buildings that meet the quality standards set by the Care Commission and by the Board itself. I know that this has been an uncertain period for residents, their families and our staff, but now we can concentrate on the future."

The 10 homes which had been identified for closure unless solutions were found to the financial problems they faced are as follows: Achvarasdal, near Thurso; Auchinlee, Campbeltown; Balmedie, Aberdeenshire; Clashfarquhar, Stonehaven; Clyde View, Helensburgh; Cumnor Hall, Ayr; Invereck, Dunoon; St Margaret's, Polmont; Oversteps, Dornoch; Whinnieknowe, Nairn

The Strategic Review concluded that in order to secure a sustainable future for the Board and turn around the financial deficits it has faced, a 3 year financial action plan, which covers all Board expenditure, must be implemented. Since June, the Board has been developing, in consultation, a new staffing model which reflects the changing nature of the service and aims to address the Board's continuing commitment to provide quality care that meets the needs of current and future residents. The Board will now begin a wider consultation with all staff to discuss the new model and its implementation. This consultation will continue over the coming months.

The Board has clearly stated that it welcomes its involvement in the working group which includes COSLA, Scottish Care, the Salvation Army and the Scottish Executive. The Board is optimistic that this group will make real progress towards establishing the cost of resourcing quality care. The Board notes, however, that the conclusions of the group are unlikely to be translated into funding streams until 2005-06.

The Position As At 30 September 2003
Area Highland
The future of Achvarasdal (Reay near Thurso), Oversteps (Dornoch) and Whinnieknowe (Nairn) has been secured and the homes will remain open.

The local authority has identified a strategic need for these services. The Board will increase the number of beds in its homes by 14 which leads to economies of scale which are additional to the cost saving measures which the Board will implement as a result of the Strategic Review. The Board will now invest in the region of �1.7 million of its own capital to provide the additional capacity and to ensure that the 3 homes meet the quality standards set by the Care Commission and by the Board itself.

Area Aberdeenshire
The future of Clashfarquhar (Stonehaven) and Balmedie (Aberdeenshire) has been secured and the homes will remain open.  Explanatory statement The local authority has identified a strategic need for these services. The Board will increase the number of beds in its homes by 11 which leads to economies of scale which are additional to the cost saving measures which the Board will implement as a result of the Strategic Review. The Board will now invest in the region of �220,000 of its own capital to provide the additional capacity and to ensure that the 2 homes meet the quality standards set by the Care Commission and by the Board itself. Clashfarquhar will continue as a residential home until 2006. It is expected that it will then be deregistered and become a 'housing with care' model through Supporting People funding.

Area Falkirk
The future of St. Margaret's (Polmont) has been secured and the home will remain open. Explanatory statement The local authority has identified a strategic need for this service. The Board will increase the number of beds in its home by 6 which leads to economies of scale which are additional to the cost saving measures which the Board will implement as a result of the Strategic Review.  The Board will now invest in the region of �50,000 of its own capital to provide the additional capacity and to ensure that the home meets the quality standards set by the Care Commission and by the Board itself.

Area South Ayrshire
The future of Cumnor Hall (Ayr) has been secured and the home will remain open.  Explanatory statement The local authority has identified a strategic need for this service as a dementia only unit. The Board will increase the number of beds in its home by 4 which leads to economies of scale which are additional to the cost saving measures which the Board will implement as a result of the Strategic Review. The Board will now invest in the region of �70,000 of its own capital to provide the additional capacity and to convert to dementia only. This will be done through a stepped transfer programme.

Area Argyll and Bute
We have had constructive dialogue with the council about the future of Auchinlee (Campbeltown), Clyde View (Helensburgh) and Invereck (Dunoon). We will make an announcement about the future of these homes after the council's Strategic Policy Committee meets on 2nd October.

Earlier

Partnership And Joint Investment The Way Forward Says Kirk 3 July 03
Discussions between the Kirk and local authorities to resolve the future of 10 homes for older people will commence this week with the Kirk putting partnership at the top of the agenda.  In its discussion with local authorities, the Kirk will pledge new capital investment of �5 million to improve the quality of those services that remain open.

Following the decisions taken by The Board of Social Responsibility on 20 June 2003, the Board is now focusing all its attention on resolving the future of the 10 homes identified for closure unless solutions are found to the financial problems they face.  It is the Board's view that these solutions are to be found by working in partnership with local authorities to meet local needs in appropriate settings.

In undertaking the nine month Strategic Review of its services for older people, the Board has sought to 'put its own house in order' so as to secure a sustainable and quality future for its staff and residents.

The Board is now seeking to enter into partnerships with local authorities to assess the level and nature of need in their area and to consider the appropriate mix of capital investment, service improvements and revenue funding required to meet that need. 

The Kirk's Director of Social Work Ian Manson said, "Where a strategic need is identified by a local authority, and where the Board is in a position to meet that need, we must consider the financial realities of providing a high quality and sustainable service in the area.  For a home to be secure for the future it must be able to cover its running costs and meet the quality standards set by the Care Commission and by the Board itself. 

Mr Manson continued, "For too long the Board has used its finite reserves to to keep homes going that would otherwise have closed long ago.  We are clear that this can no longer continue.

"However, it is not all doom and gloom.  Over the next few weeks we will be in discussions with local authorities to try to secure a sustainable future for the 10 homes.  We have always said that we do not expect to receive something for nothing and we will back that up with �5 million new capital investment to improve the quality of those services that remain open.  That level of investment can only be made in partnership with local authorities in order to meet local needs in the most appropriate quality setting.  We need time to ensure that we get these partnerships right, but for the sake of our residents and staff, we need to resolve the future of these 10 homes sooner rather than later."

Friends Of Achvarasdal Took To The Streets Of Thurso With A Petition 28 June
With Help From North Coast Jazz Band

COUNCIL IN DISCUSSIONS ON FUTURE OF CARE HOMES IN HIGHLAND 26 June 03

Highland Councillors in Caithness are actively involved in discussions to secure the future of Achvarasdal Church of Scotland home, Reay.  On Tuesday 24th June, Convener David flear and Area Housing and social Work Chairman, Bill Fernie met in Thurso with Harriet Dempster, director of social work Service and Bob Silverwood, Area Social Work manager.

The councillors emphasised the important role the home played not only in Caithness but the north of sutherland.  there was no other home providing a similar service.

Councillor Fernie said: "I visited Avhvarasdal on Monday and was very impressed by the setting.  the residents clearly appreciate the service they receive.

" Achvarasdal provides a very worthwhile community service, which clearly needs to be maintained"

The Church of Scotland has flagged up financial difficulties at Achvarasdal Home, Reay, Oversteps, Dornoch, and Whinnieknowe, Nairn.

The issue was raised as an emergency item on the agenda of The Highland Council today (Thursday 26 June).

The Highland Council is to seek early meetings with the Church of Scotland and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to ensure the future operation of three Church of Scotland care homes in the Highlands.

Chief Executive Arthur McCourt recalled that the Church of Scotland made a statement on Friday 20 June on the future of its 30 care homes across Scotland.  The church indicated that 16 of these homes had an assured future, eight had financial difficulties and six would close. 

He said: �The church has five homes in the Highlands, two of which have an assured future, Cameron House in Inverness and Budhmor in Skye.  Three further homes in Highland have financial problems, Achvarasdal in Reay, Oversteps in Dornoch and Whinnieknowe in Nairn.  

�It�s unfortunate that this announcement has come only two months after the Council and Church signed up to new nationally agreed rates which cover all the 28 independent sector homes in the Highlands. Council representatives will be meeting next week with the Director of Social Work of the Church of Scotland, Ian Manson, to discuss the situation and COSLA has also agreed to convene a meeting with the Scottish Executive, the five local authorities affected by these proposals and church representatives to discuss the situation.�

Convener Councillor Alison Magee said: �This is a very difficult situation and the Council will be doing everything possible at national and local level to help the church resolve it�s problems.  We are very conscious of the impact on staff and residents and we will work with the church to resolve this situation as quickly as possible.�

Achvarasdal Home In Caithness Among Homes To Be Reviewed In Coming Weeks
Kirk reaches agreement to save 17 care homes
Kirk Strategic Review puts Quality and Sustainability at the top of the Agenda

The Board of Social Responsibility today announced the conclusions of a nine month Strategic Review of its 31 residential services for older people. At the heart of the Review is the Board�s desire to secure a sustainable and high quality service for older people not just for today, but for the next two decades. The Board will no longer accept homes that were �good enough� yesterday but are not �good enough� for the future.

The Review has secured the future of 12 homes which will continue to provide a quality service to their residents on existing sites. A further 5 homes have a bright future ahead following commitments by the Board to replace outdated buildings by investing �5 million of its own money to build new units and refurbish others. In some cases these services will be developed on new sites that will allow a model of care that better suits the needs of residents and the strategic need of local authorities.

10 homes will close unless quick solutions are found to the problems they face. To that end, the Board will continue to work closely with local authorities over the coming weeks in order to try to save these homes. However, should no solution be found within the next three months, these homes will close by the end of the current financial year.

The Board has identified 4 homes that, due to ongoing deficits and the huge capital investment needed to bring them up to modern care standards, are no longer viable and will be closed. Of these, 1 is expected to remain open until new care standards come in to effect in 2007, whilst 3 are facing more serious deficits and are likely to close by the end of the current financial year.

The Board of Social Responsibility�s Review looked in depth at every aspect of all the homes, including the state of buildings, standards of care, needs of residents, income, staffing and local provision. For each home the Board weighed the costs of providing care to the standard required by both the Kirk and the Care Commission, with the income from local authorities and residents themselves. In each case the Board is attempting to keep homes running for as long as is feasible in order to ensure the seamless transfer of residents and staff.

The Board�s Convener, Rev Jim Cowie, said the decision is about ensuring the survival of the Kirk�s entire social work programme. �We have had to take some very difficult decisions today, but we have done so with the clear intention of delivering a sustainable future for our residents and staff. Because of consistent underfunding, we can no longer provide the level of care that each resident needs and deserves in every home. We will work with local authorities, residents and families to ensure that suitable alternative accommodation is found quickly where a home has to close.�

Mr Cowie said the Board is facing an annual deficit of �6 million with its reserves down to just �8 million after more than a decade of subsidising the cost of care: �If we continue to use money from our own savings to pay the difference between the cost of caring and what we receive from local authorities, we will run out of money next year. If we go bust then every service we offer to every age group across Scotland will be at risk. Achieving sustainability for the Board will mean releasing staff and residents from the uncertainty caused by the undignified annual scramble for resources. It means looking forward to delivering a quality service and a secure future rather than continually worrying about further cuts.�

The Kirk�s Director of Social Work Ian Manson said that the Review must be considered in context. �At the beginning of the year the future looked bleak for nearly all of our residential homes. Since then we have worked very hard to find ways of reducing our own costs and to increase external funding. While today�s decision is very disappointing, were it not for the constructive discussions that we have held with local authorities and COSLA in recent months, many more of our homes would be marked for closure. We are committed to working in partnership with councils to meet their local needs. In doing so, the Board has never expected to receive something for nothing. Where local authorities are able to assist in making services viable, the Board will continue to make service improvements and build on �17m capital investment we have made over the past decade.�

�Over the coming weeks I will be focussing my attention on leaving no stone unturned in trying to secure the future of the 10 homes whose existence is currently in doubt. I am encouraged by positive comments made by councils over the past few weeks, however for the sake of residents and staff we must act quickly to reach final decisions on their future.�

Details on future of individual homes

Name of unit Achvarasdal, Thurso
Number of residents 21
Status This home will close unless solutions are found to the financial problems it faces.
Explanatory statement Negotiations continue with the local authority which has acknowledged the need for the service. Should negotiations be successful the Board will invest �470,000 to achieve a staged increase in capacity.

Name of unit Adams House, Johnstone
Number of residents 28
Status Has a sustainable financial future and will remain open.
Explanatory statement The home meets current national care standards and the standard of the Board with en-suite facilities in every room with no need for further capital expenditure.

Name of unit Ashley Lodge, Aberdeen
Number of residents 37
Status Service will continue on a redeveloped and expanded unit at Rubislaw Park.
Explanatory statement The existing building at Ashley Lodge does not meet quality standards. The service will, however, continue at the home until the completion of the redeveloped facility at Rubislaw Park. The service will then be delivered there using a Housing with Care Model funded through Supporting People.

Name of unit Auchinlee, Campbeltown
Number of residents 19
Status This home will close unless solutions are found to the financial problems it faces.
Explanatory statement Negotiations continue with the local authority to arrive at a sustainable revenue rate. Should this be secured the Board will invest �85,000 to extend to a 24 bed unit.

Name of unit Baxter House, Glasgow
Number of residents 31
Status Service will continue in two new build units
Explanatory statement In partnership with Communities Scotland and a local housing association the service will continue using a Housing with Care model. Negotiations continue with the local authority to allow a seamless transfer to the new units.

Name of unit Balmedie, Aberdeenshire
Number of residents 23
Status This home will close unless solutions are found to the financial problems it faces.
Explanatory statement Negotiations continue with two local authorities to secure a sustainable financial future. Should these negotiations be successful, the Board would seek planning permission to expand the capacity to 32 by investing capital of �220,000.

Name of unit Bellfield, Banchory
Number of residents 24
Status Service will continue in a new build unit.
Explanatory statement In partnership with the local authority, the Board is seeking to maintain the service on the existing site until a new build unit is developed in the local area, which will also seek to meet the strategic needs of the local health board.

Name of unit Belmont Castle (Tenancies), Meigle, Perthshire
Number of residents 16
Status Has a sustainable financial future and will remain open.
Explanatory statement This service will be delivered using a Housing with Care model using Supporting People funding.

Name of unit Belmont Castle (dementia care), Meigle, Perthshire
Number of residents 7
Status This home will close.
Explanatory statement This dementia service has not attracted sufficient local authority funding and does not therefore have a sustainable financial future. The service will close within the current financial year.

Name of unit Budhmor, Portree, Isle of Skye
Number of residents 24
Status Has a sustainable financial future and will remain open.
Explanatory statement The Board is considering two viable options for this service. The first option is to invest �460,000 to expand the service on the current site. The second option is to move to meet the local authority�s requirement for dementia care on a nearby site.

Name of unit Cameron House, Inverness
Number of residents 30
Status Has a sustainable financial future and will remain open.
Explanatory statement This is a specialist dementia unit serving the needs of the local authority and health board.

Name of unit Chequers, Pitlochry
Number of residents 12
Status Service will continue in a new build unit.
Explanatory statement The existing unit does not meet quality standards. Negotiations continue to secure a seamless transfer of residents to a joint health and social care facility on a new site.

 

Name of unit

Clashfarquhar, Stonehaven
Number of residents 19
Status This home will close unless solutions are found to the financial problems it faces.
Explanatory statement Negotiations continue with the local authority and care commission with a view to moving to a Housing with Care model with Supporting People funding.

Name of unit Clyde View, Helensburgh
Number of residents 24
Status This home will close unless solutions are found to the financial problems it faces.
Explanatory statement The building is not fit for purpose and fails to meet Board and national care standards. The building cannot be used beyond 2007, however the Board is willing to consider the options, in discussion with the local authority, for alternative service provision.

Name of unit Cumnor Hall, Ayr
Number of residents 21
Status This home will close unless solutions are found to the financial problems it faces.
Explanatory statement The Board believes that the future of this service lies in providing specialised care for people with dementia. Negotiations continue with the local authority to arrive at a sustainable revenue rate. Should this be secured the Board will invest �70,000 to convert to a dementia only unit.

Name of unit Devorgilla, Dumfries
Number of residents 18
Status This home will close.
Explanatory statement The building is not fit for purpose and fails to meet Board and national care standards. The home does not have a sustainable financial future and as a result will close by the end of this financial year.

Name of unit Duneaves, Broughty Ferry, Dundee
Number of residents 16
Status This home will close.
Explanatory statement This home is not fit for purpose and does not meet quality standards. Negotiations continue with the local authority to explore the options for providing dementia day care on the site.

Name of unit Eastwoodhill, Giffnock
Number of residents 36
Status This home will close.
Explanatory statement The building no longer offers the necessary quality of service and fails to meet Board and national care standards. The local authority has stated that there is no strategic need for this service.

Name of unit The Elms, Edinburgh
Number of residents 39
Status Has a sustainable financial future and will remain open.
Explanatory statement The local authority has agreed to bulk purchase services from the three Edinburgh homes. This has secured a sustainable financial future. The home exceeds quality standards.

Name of unit Walter & Joan Gray, Shetland
Number of residents 12
Status Has a sustainable financial future and will remain open.
Explanatory statement Following redevelopment work in 1999 this home meets quality standards and is recognised as strategically necessary.

Name of unit Invereck, near Dunoon
Number of residents 20
Status This home will close unless solutions are found to the financial problems it faces.
Explanatory statement The Board is in negotiation with the local authority towards achieving a nursing style provision with day care and home support.

Name of unit St. Margaret�s, Polmont
Number of residents 28
Status This home will close unless solutions are found to the financial problems it faces.
Explanatory statement Negotiations continue with the local authority to secure a sustainable financial future.

Name of unit Morlich House, Edinburgh
Number of residents 22
Status Has a sustainable financial future and will remain open.
Explanatory statement The local authority has agreed to bulk purchase services from the three Edinburgh homes. This has secured a sustainable financial future. The home exceeds quality standards.

Name of unit Oversteps, Dornoch
Number of residents 16
Status This home will close unless solutions are found to the financial problems it faces.
Explanatory statement This home is not fit for purpose and does not meet quality standards. It would require significant capital investment to bring it up to standard. Negotiations continue with the local authority to achieve bridging funding to allow further consideration of how best to meet the strategic need in the area.

Name of unit Queen�s Bay Lodge, Edinburgh
Number of residents 24
Status Has a sustainable financial future and will remain open.
Explanatory statement The local authority has agreed to bulk purchase services from the three Edinburgh homes. The Board has agreed to invest �6,000 to increase the capacity of the home to 27.

Name of unit South Beach, Ardrossan
Number of residents 34
Status Has a sustainable financial future and will remain open.
Explanatory statement The local authority have made a long term commitment to the service, which, due to its size, already covers its costs. The Board will invest �415,000 over five years to meet quality standards.

Name of unit Tollcross Mansionhouse, Glasgow
Number of residents 18
Status Has a sustainable financial future and will remain open.
Explanatory statement In partnership with Shettleston Housing Association and Glasgow City Council a Housing with Care model will be provided and financed through Supporting People funding.

Name of unit Well Hall, Hamilton
Number of residents 24
Status Service will continue on an adjacent new build unit.
Explanatory statement In partnership with the local authority and a local housing association, the service will continue using a Housing with Care model. Negotiations continue with the local authority to allow a seamless transfer to the new unit.

Name of unit Whinnieknowe, Nairn
Number of residents 24
Status This home will close unless solutions are found to the financial problems it faces.
Explanatory statement This home is not fit for purpose and does not meet quality standards. Negotiations continue with the local authority to secure a sustainable financial future.

Name of unit Williamwood, Netherlee
Number of residents 30
Status Has a sustainable financial future and will remain open.
Explanatory statement This is a specialist dementia service. Two local authorities have agreed that there is a long term strategic need for the service. A sustainable financial future has been secured, and the Board will invest �1,000,000 over the next 5 years to meet quality standards.