Decision to close Mo Dhachaidh in Ullapool is herald of 'a crisis like never before' in independent sector, warns Scottish Care boss
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THE decision of a care home provider in Ross-shire to close just months after taking over from another operator signals "a crisis like never before" within the sector.
That's the sobering view from the boss of the representative body for independent social care services in Scotland in the wake of Parklands' bombshell announcement last week that it will be closing Ullapool's Mo Dhachaidh care home by the end of April.
Parklands' boss Ron Taylor has 30 years experience in the sector and last week said that the current economic climate "is the most challenging we have ever faced", prompting "the most difficult decision we have ever had to take".
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Scottish Care chief executive Donald Macaskill spoke out in response to the decision. He said: "The care home sector in Scotland is facing a crisis like never before. Social care as a whole is experiencing the worse workforce challenges in recent years with Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic as some of the factors impacting recruitment and retention. Investment is needed to achieve real parity of esteem between social care and the NHS.
"Alongside the staffing shortages, the rising cost of living is also threatening the sustainability of the care home sector. Care homes are facing astronomical energy and insurance costs, and already this has led to many care homes ceasing operation.
"Without assistance and funding, the rising costs will lead to many more care providers shutting down and ceasing the delivery of care. Staff will lose their jobs and local communities will lose vital care services. For care home residents, the loss of home, familiarity and shared company will be devastating for affected residents.
"An increase of care home closures will result in real pressure on the NHS. With hospitals already overburdened, they will be unable to cope with delayed discharges, hence having a negative and dramatic impact on those who need NHS treatment and care. If social care collapses, then the NHS will follow soon after."
Parklands has told the Journal that gas and electricity costs for Mo Dhachaidh – with its 19 beds – over a three-month period were almost on a par with Eilean Dubh in Fortrose, with 40 beds, over an 11-month period.
Read more inside this week's Ross-shire Journal.
