Alex Salmond has given his personal backing to Fife Council’s controversial decision to privatise care home provision.
“It is very disappointing that after three months of waiting for his reply, he’s decided to back Fife Council.”
She said events at Southern Cross illustrated “the dangers” of relying on the private sector.
“Axing future funding for all of Fife’s council-run care homes will leave more and more residents, staff and families open to the type of situation those involved with Southern Cross homes are experiencing,” Ms Baker added.
“A mix of care provision is a healthy thing, but Fife Council is closing the door on a type of provision that people value in favour of one that clearly, with the example of Southern Cross, can be unstable in this economic climate.
“It is still unclear what Fife Council proposes to do if these new private providers go to the wall.
“It’s becoming increasingly clear that a fundamental rethink is needed and it is very disappointing that Alex Salmond has decided to back Fife Council’s damaging decision.”
The row comes as the Labour Party continue to ask questions about what it calls a “crisis in care”.
In addition to the problems at Southern Cross, where 3000 jobs are to be axed, there have also been concerns at budget cuts to care regulator Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland.
Meanwhile, the death of two former residents at Elsie Inglis care home in Edinburgh prompted a police investigation and the closure of the home.
The First Minister broke his silence to defend the SNP/Liberal Democrat-controlled local authority, amid continued anger over plans to replace all 10 of its homes with purpose-built accommodation run by the private sector.
The SNP leader had appeared to indirectly criticise the decision during first minister’s questions at Holyrood two weeks before when he said the financial crisis at care giant Southern Cross should serve as a “cautionary note” for those wanting to privatise care.
But in a letter to Labour MSP Claire Baker, who has been campaigning for a reversal of the decision, Mr Salmond has now given his explicit support to the council.
“The decision was made primarily because the council could not afford to replace the council care homes,” he said.
“I have been assured that the council have plans in place to secure continuity of care for all Fife care home residents.
“Moving to independently-run care homes is a decision that a number of councils have made, including in East Dunbartonshire when Labour controlled the council.
“I think it is unwise to indulge in political points scoring on this matter.”
Mr Salmond also stressed the SNP government is allocating £70m to improve health and social care services for older people this year and £40m to continue funding free personal care.
Fife Council has insisted its homes were not “fit for purpose” and it was not financially feasible to keep them open, although a consultation revealed the majority of residents and their families wanted them retained.
The decision was voted for by SNP councillors and backed by the region’s Nationalist candidates during the Holyrood election campaign.
Ms Baker, who represents Mid Scotland and Fife, condemned the First Minister’s support for the local authority.
“Following the noises he made two weeks ago, Fifers will be very surprised at Alex Salmond’s decision to back Fife Council’s approach,” she said.
“The staff, residents and families at Fife’s council-run care homes deserve better than that and so do the majority of Fifers who voiced their opposition to the plan in the council’s consultation.
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