Following South Lanarkshire Council’s decision to close McWhirter House care home in Larkhall, the local Labour Party has launched a campaign to save the council-run facility.
A recent meeting of the council’s social work committee, SNP and Tory councillors agreed to close McWhirter House and Kirkton House in Blantyre and replace them with a new facility, also located in Blantyre. Labour’s Andy Carmichael is the only Larkhall councillor who opposes the plan to close McWhirter House.
Andy Carmichael and Andrew Hilland campaigning against the closure of McWhirter House in Larkhall
While the new facility has been welcomed, Labour has pointed out that it will result in a reduction in capacity and the end of council-run care homes in Larkhall.
Central Scotland MSP Monica Lennon has also written to Larkhall’s local MSP, and Minister for Older People, Christina McKelvie who has so far has only offered support for the plans that will lead to the closure of a care home in her constituency.
Losing McWhirter House will be a huge blow to the town and I am appalled that the SNP and Tories have voted together to close it.
Speaking to the Hamilton Advertiser, Andy Carmichael said:
For years McWhirter House has served older people in Larkhall and the service it has provided is first class.
Losing McWhirter House will be a huge blow to the town and I am appalled that the SNP and Tories have voted together to close it.
Andy has now launched a petition against the closure and will be taking it to the streets of Larkhall seeking support from local residents.
Andy is the only Larkhall councillor who has opposed the plan to close McWhirter House but the campaign to save it has attracted support from other Labour politicians.
As well as Monica Lennon and other South Lanarkshire Labour councillors, Andy has been supported by Andrew Hilland, Labour’s candidate for the Westminster seat of Lanark and Hamilton East, which includes Larkhall.
Given plans would leave Larkhall without a council-run care home, this is inexcusable
Also speaking to the Hamilton Advertiser, Andrew, commented:
No candidate at last year’s local elections raised the possibility of McWhirter House being closed and there has been no meaningful consultation with the community, residents or staff.
Given plans would leave Larkhall without a council-run care home, this is inexcusable.
Over 700 people have already signed the petition and Labour will be holding a street stall at 10:30am on Saturday 28th July, outside the Co-Op on Union Street, to gather more signatures.
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