Relatives to fight unit closure plan

Relatives have formed a pressure group to
fight the Church of Scotland’s plans to close a residential unit
for older people in Fife claiming that the decision could lead to
the death of some residents.

In
April, the Church of Scotland, which is one of the country’s
biggest social care service providers, announced its intention to
close nine care units including Fife’s Leslie House. It blamed the
gap between the cost of providing care and the fees allowed by
local authorities (see News, page 14, 25 April).

But
the Leslie House 21 Group have pledged to fight the move, claiming
the Church failed to inform or consult either residents or their
families, breaching their human rights and the Church’s duty to
care.