Relatives of elderly care home residents in remote parts of Scotland are now facing journeys of more than 100 miles to see their loved ones, industry leaders have revealed. This distressing situation is the direct result of a wave of care home closures that has swept across the country over the last ten years.
The Scale of the Closures
Shocking new statistics, obtained by the Scottish Liberal Democrats from the Care Inspectorate, show that 476 care homes in Scotland have either closed down entirely or been taken over by another provider since 2015. This alarming trend is accelerating, with 34 facilities ceasing operations by the end of July this year alone, a number that already surpasses the 30 closures recorded for the entirety of the previous year.
The impact has been felt nationwide, with significant closures in major population centres. The figures detail 56 closures in Glasgow City, 46 in Fife, 43 in Edinburgh, 36 in South Lanarkshire, and 24 in the Highland region over the past decade.
Why Are Care Homes Closing?
According to Scottish Care, the organisation representing the sector, a combination of severe financial pressures is to blame. Donald Macaskill, the chief executive of Scottish Care, identified several key factors forcing smaller homes, particularly in rural areas, to shut their doors.
He pointed to a ‘sharp reduction’ in the number of beds purchased by local authority health and social care partnerships, which are themselves grappling with soaring debts. Furthermore, last year’s increase in employer national insurance contributions, implemented by the UK Government, has placed a heavy burden on providers.
Other reasons cited for the closures include a change of legal owner, the sale of the business, and critical problems with recruiting suitable staff, a issue exacerbated by recent changes to visa rules.
Consequences for Families and the NHS
The disappearance of these facilities, especially small, family-run homes in villages and towns, is having a profound effect. Mr Macaskill stated, ‘What we are seeing is an increasing pattern of rural and remote care homes in particular not being able to sustain themselves and actually closing, meaning that people are having to travel upwards of 100 miles to see their family members.’
This crisis is also creating a domino effect on the National Health Service. With fewer care home beds available, elderly patients are experiencing increasing waits for care assessments, leaving them ‘stuck in limbo’ in hospital beds. This logjam is piling significant pressure on an already strained NHS.
Angus MacDonald, the Liberal Democrat MP for Inverness, condemned the situation, labelling it a ‘damning verdict on the state of social care in Scotland.’ He criticised the SNP government for wasting £30 million on plans for a national care service that were ultimately abandoned, and the UK Labour Government for the tax hike that has worsened the financial strain on providers.
In response, a Scottish Government spokesman said, ‘We do not want to see the closure of good quality care homes and we understand the concern this causes for residents and their families.’ The government stated it meets regularly with social care leaders to discuss ongoing challenges, including severe workforce shortages and bed capacities.
