A campaign to stop the privatisation of social care services in West Lothian was launched this week in at a gathering that attracted 300 angry locals.
The move comes as it was revealed that the West Lothian Integrated Joint Board is considering privatising four care homes for the elderly, outsourcing services at two homes for adults with a learning disability and outsourcing almost all care at home services.
A public meeting was held on Tuesday against the proposals, which could see the closure of Limecroft and Craigmair in Livingston, Whitdale in Whitburn and Burngrange in West Calder.
Organisers said the number of people who attended the meeting at West Calder High on Tuesday showed the “huge show of strength against what is being proposed.”
Unions understand the proposal would be to close two sites within two years, with admissions to the council homes winding down and departing staff not being replaced.
Budget cuts will also reduce the care at home service for the elderly and disabled, cut staffing in housing with care, reduce the number of social workers, Occupational Therapists and admin support staff and privatise residential care for adults with a learning disability.
West Lothian has the fastest growing elderly population in Scotland with an expected rise of 44% in the number of pensioners living in the country over the next 25 years. This means there will be more demand on social care services.
The trade unions The GMB, Unison and Unite who represent social care staff have joined forces to oppose the privatisation plans.
Stevie Dunn of Unison said: “The council’s own report recognises the recruitment crisis in the private sector is at a critical level, and that this is greatest in care for the elderly.
“The council’s risk register for adult social care is at red. Against this background it is illogical, irrational and downright dangerous to even consider adding more demand to a sector that already cannot cope. These homes are all rated ‘good’ or ‘very good’ by the care inspectorate, care facilities like this are run for public good not private profit, we need more of them, not fewer.
Tom Carr Pollock of the GMB added: “These are not just care facilities, they are the home of some of our most vulnerable citizens, they and their families will be really worried by the IJB’s plan.
“We cannot allow good quality care services to be flogged off to the private sector where the pay and conditions of social care staff is much poorer impacting negatively on the ability to retain staff; this ultimately affects the quality of care provided.”
Pat Tedford of Unite the union said: “West Lothian Councillors must oppose this appalling plan to privatise care homes and the jobs that support them.
“These proposals will impact most on female workers as 95 per cent of social care posts are taken up by women. The joint trade unions will be mounting a sustained and determined campaign to end this madness. We urge all members of the public to get behind the campaign.”
Officers promised that no decision would be taken without direct consultation with service users and their families.
Patrick Welsh, chief finance officer of the IJB said: “The last 15 years have been a period of constrained public sector funding that will continue over the medium term compounded by high inflation.
“Additional expenditure increases each year associated with continuing to deliver care services and as they are delivered currently available will significantly exceed the increases in funding available, and it’s not sustainable.
“The estimated gap over the five years is £28.2m while the three year gap is £17.3m.”
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