The following email communications between a Dunoon resident, Mr Max Barr and elected councillors, have been circulated for the Council Leader, Councillor James Robb, along with a reply from himself. The exchange is on the issue of the Struan Lodge care home in the town.
We are reproducing them here in chronological order.
From: Max Barr
Sent: 06 April 2013 10:33
To: Kelly, Donald; Colville, Rory; Semple, John; Hall, Fred; MacDougall, Alistair; McCuish, Roderick; Devon, Mary-Jean; MacDonald, Iain Angus; Glen-Lee, Louise; Robertson, Elaine (Councillor); MacIntyre, Duncan; Taylor, Sandy; douglas.philand@argyll-bute.gov.uk; MacMillan, Donald; MacIntyre, Robert Graham; Corry, Maurice; Freeman, George; Horne, Anne; McAlpine, John; Currie, Robin; Strong, Isobel; Macintyre, Robert; Scoullar, Len; Morton, Aileen; Robb, James (Councillor); Mulvaney, Gary; Dance, Vivien; Trail, Richard; Morton, Ellen; Kinniburgh, David; Breslin, Michael; Walsh, Dick; McQueen, James; Blair, Gordon; McNaughton, Alex; Marshall, Bruce
Subject:
05 April 2013
Open Letter to all Argyll & Bute Councillors
Dear Councillor
STRUAN LODGE ELDERLY CARE HOME
I write concerning the Council’s decision at the Budget Meeting on February 14th 2013 when, separately from the overall budget and despite no previous intimations to the residents, relatives, staff and wider community, the Council voted to close Struan Lodge by 17 votes to 16. No alternatives or other options were considered. Gross costs were cited as the reason the home needed to close.
This is a totally barbaric way to treat vulnerable old people in the Council’s care. It is a well known fact that to subject elderly care home residents to such stress and probable transfer to other premises shortens their life expectancy.
So why was this vote taken particularly as no Options Appraisal or Business Case was made. Surely it is incumbent upon Councillors having responsibility for vulnerable elderly people to deal with their welfare on a carefully considered and transparent basis and to ensure that there is a consensual view that the proposed action is absolutely necessary and that all possible options have been considered. In this way it might even be possible to get the support of the residents, relatives, staff and the wider community rather than ignore them.
Given the strength of feeling in the Dunoon and Cowal Community the purpose of this letter is to urge you to do everything in your power to reverse the decision to close Struan Lodge Elderly Care Home at the earliest opportunity and encourage the Council to engage with the residents, relatives, staff, the NHS, and Cowal Community representatives and seek a consensus view on the way forward for Struan Lodge. I understand that this needs a motion to suspend standing orders and a second motion to reverse the closure and no new admissions decision previously taken. This is essential if the Community is to prepare alternative viable proposals for Struan Lodge.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do not continue with the aggressive brand of confrontational politics and support these motions when they are tabled.
Yours most sincerely,
Signed..Max Barr
Reply from Council Leader
Dear Mr Barr
Thank you for this email. I understand you are leading a committee taking forward a potential proposal for a community buy-out of Struan Lodge. I was wondering if you could update members on progress on this ahead of the Council meeting on 25th April.
As you may have anticipated I cannot agree with some of your assertions but there is a statement which I feel should be corrected as it is factually incorrect. The efficiency saving of £400,000 agreed by the Council as part of its budget was based on the difference between the cost of providing the care in-house compared to providing care through the independent sector. I think all councillors understand that substantive cost difference remains whether costs are gross or net. That is, recognition of income should be factored equally into both options – in-house or through the independent sector.
The consultation with residents, carers, families and staff is still on-going and a further report will come to the council. I think everyone will appreciate the professional and sensitive approach from the Council staff at Struan Lodge and those involved in this process.
The Council has already offered independent advice and support to assess whether a buy-out is viable. I understand that a meeting is being arranged on this basis but if there is anything other information you require, please get in touch.
Regards
James
