Protestors make their voices heard over 'privatisation' of West Lothian care homes

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Plans which unions claim could lead to the privatisation of care homes and large scale privatisation of social care for the elderly in West Lothian have been rubber stamped by councillors.The decision, unopposed, 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.Conservative group leader Damian Doran-Timson told the meeting he and fellow councillors had been handed 'Hobson's Choice' of accepting the budget plans or large scale cuts - with no alternatives offered.The IJB agreed to start a review process which will look at proposals that includes the closure of care homes and the use of privatise staff to provide care at home.The homes which could face closure are Limecroft and Craigmair in Livingston, Whitdale in Whitburn and Burngrange in West Calder.Unions understand the proposal would be to close two sites within two years, with admissions to the council homes winding down and departing staff not being replaced.Budget cuts will also reduce the care at home service for the elderly and disabled, cut staffing in housing with care, reduce the number of social workers, Occupational Therapists and admin support staff and privatise residential care for adults with a learning disability.Officers promised that no decision would be taken without direct consultation with service users and their families.Union representatives highlighted greater complaints from privately run facilities and told councillors that services provided by the public sector were better for service users