Plans which unions claim could lead to the closure of care homes and large scale privatisation of social care for the elderly in West Lothian have been rubber stamped.
The decision, unopposed by the Integrated Joint Board (IJB), came after families joined dozens of care home staff in a protest outside the Council Chambers at Livingston’s Civic Centre, demanding that councillors protect jobs from cuts and low wage privatisation.
The Integrated Joint Board (IJB) oversees those care services run between the council and NHS Lothian. The IJB is responsible for commissioning adult health and social care services and overseeing the delivery of these services and is provided with funding by West Lothian Council and NHS Lothian to do so. There are 18 members of the IJB, eight of whom can vote. Four of the eight are councillors elected to the IJB.
