'Feeling of a dying community': Locals express shock at impending closure of Mo Dhachaidh care home in Wester Ross village of Ullapool
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Locals in Ullapool have expressed shock at the recent announcement over the impending closure of Mo Dhachaidh care home – just months after Parklands took it over.
Parklands took over the care home from Barchester Healthcare in August 2022, making a pledge for investment and creating jobs for local people.
Many locals have been left with deep concern for the uncertain future of the residents of Mo Dhachaidh, as well as the staff. This has led many members of the community have been discussing the option of a community buyout of Mo Dhachaidh care home.
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Board member of Lochbroom Community Trust, Brendan O'Hanrahan said: "It's too early to talk about a community buyout. We would first try to persuade Parklands to change their mind about leaving Mo Dhachaidh. But if we can't get Parklands to keep the care home open, we may end up looking into doing a community buyout.
"Parklands got themselves into a situation they shouldn't have gotten into in the first place."
MSP Maree Todd said: "I know that many folk will be deeply concerned following Parklands announcement on the closure of Mo Dhachaidh. This news will come as a devastating blow to residents, staff, and the wider Ullapool community. Our social care sector is facing significant pressures right now and sadly, despite best efforts, Parklands have been unable to identify a viable solution in the current economic climate, that allows Mo Dhachaidh to operate.
"I have met with NHS Highland to discuss the impact the loss of care provision will have on the community as I’m aware that this closure presents real challenges to the delivery of localised care. I will continue engaging with NHS Highland to discuss next steps, but also how we can work to future proof social care in rural settings.”
Ullapool resident, Janis Piggot–Patterson said: "This was where my dad's mum, Marjory, passed her final days. It was an incredibly difficult time and I don’t know what we would have done without their support. My heart goes out to the families impacted, those that have lost their jobs and everyone else."
Laura Hamlet, from Achiltibuie said: "Although I haven't had a direct connection to Mo Dhachaidh yet in my life, I've seen how it has been invaluable for friends and have always had the comfort of knowing its an option one day. The closure adds to the feeling of a dying community. Healthy communities need access to basic services, and I consider Mo Dhachaidh to be a vital part of our community."
Ullapool resident, Becky Thomson said: "It is six years since my Mum was in Mo Dhachaidh, I suppose I am one of many people who could describe the implications of regular visiting to a care home elsewhere – a few people went to Aultbea in the worst of weather. So I suppose it is about displacement of the residents and implications for their visitors but equally, the impact on the staff."
Neil Gerrard said: "Frankly I am shocked. I am not sure why Parklands took it over in the first place when the message our politicians are giving out is that care should be under more scrutiny. To have taken it over only six months ago and not have a proper financial plan shows particularly poor management.
"If the care management reflects the poor financial planning, there is little hope. I am sure the poorly paid care workers are good enough at their jobs. They will be excited by the prospect of being relocated more than an hour away to the nearest home. And what of the residents? They do not need any more turmoil in their lives. A proper care system in Scotland should be in the control of the NHS who should be properly funded by the government out of the taxes we pay. If the government don't step in then I would help make the case for a community buyout.
Another said: "I do wonder if Parklands had Lochbroom House in their sights and having not got that then they are backing out. They only just applied for planning for pods for staff accommodation. I just think it's all a bit odd and also bad for care provision."
Mo Dhachaidh care home has capacity for 19 residents but is currently home to 14 residents. The home currently has 18 members of staff.
NHS Highland confirmed that Parklands has served notice to it as the lead agency within the Highland Health and Social Care Partnership that their Mo Dhachaidh care home in Ullapool will close in April 2023.
It said the closure "is associated with the challenges of operating a small-scale remote service in Ullapool" and that Parklands’ four other care homes in Highland, from which NHS Highland commission services, are unaffected.
There will be a managed closure of the care home during which time NHS Highland and Parklands "will work closely together to ensure the best outcomes for residents".
Louise Bussell, chief officer, NHS Highland, said: “I am saddened by this news but understand the challenges that have been experienced by Parklands after they took over the running of the care home last year.
“NHS Highland is working closely with the Highland Council within the partnership arrangements in the development of our strategic plan with a focus on ensuring we have the right balance of services across Highland and will continue to work with all of the independent care providers as we plan for future service provision.”
