Moss Park Care Home (Proposed Closure)

First Minister’s Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament am 5:08 pm ar 31 Hydref 2024.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Jamie Halcro Johnston Jamie Halcro Johnston Ceidwadwyr 5:08, 31 Hydref 2024

Last week, the health secretary and the Deputy First Minister met local people who were campaigning to keep open Moss Park care home in Fort William. However, since that meeting, there has been no announcement of any progress. Social workers have begun to contact residents’ families to tell them that their loved ones are to be moved. I am sure that the First Minister will appreciate the fear and frustration that that is causing those residents and their families, and that he will agree that they deserve answers on what efforts are being made to keep them in the place that many of them now call home. Can the First Minister advise me, and those who today are protesting outside Highland Council about the closure, what role the Scottish Government has played in efforts to keep Moss Park open? What support has the Government offered Highland Council and NHS Highland to make that happen?

Photo of John Swinney John Swinney Scottish National Party

I understand the significance of the point that Mr Halcro Johnston raises. I am concerned about the delayed discharge situation, especially in Highland, where it is particularly acute. The proposed closure that Mr Halcro Johnston raises will only exacerbate that situation, so it would be moving things in the wrong direction. The Government has engaged substantively. The health secretary, along with the Deputy First Minister in her local representative capacity, have been engaged in those discussions, and all possible options have been explored by the Government. I understand that the issue that Mr Halcro Johnston puts to me is being considered by Highland Council today. The Government stands ready and willing to engage on finding a solution, because the impact of the proposed closure would mean matters moving in entirely the opposite direction to the one that I want to see happening.