THE Scottish Government is being urged to step in and prevent a charity “abandoning” scores of elderly people by closing its 12 nursing homes in Scotland.
Unison says the closures, announced by not-for-profit organisation Bield in October, would be a “disaster”, with 160 residents losing their homes and up to 200 care workers facing compulsory redundancy.
The union is holding a public meeting in Glasgow today. The homes facing closure are in Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow, the Borders, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian.
John Gallacher, the union’s Scottish organiser, said: “We are disappointed that Scottish Government ministers seem content to stand by and let the closures happen. If this goes ahead it will be a disaster.”
The Scottish Government says it is working with Bield and relevant agencies to ensure that residents’ care needs continue to be met.
Health Secretary Shona Robison is due to meet the chief executive of Bield Housing and Care later this month to discuss progress.
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