Care home firm axes vital Scots dementia units leaving patients' families floored

dailyrecord.co.uk:

One of the UK’s largest care home firms has axed three specialist dementia units, leaving families unsure where their loved-ones will be looked after.HC-One Scotland are shutting Milnwood, Mossend and Orbiston units – which look after elderly people with the most advanced dementia needs – at the Hatton Lea care home in Bellshill, Lanarkshire.

Last night Ann McGill, whose mum Jan is at Hatton Lea, said dozens of families have been floored by the news.She said: “These are the only specialist units in this area, nobody knows where these vulnerable adults will end up.”Families found out about the closure of the NHS-funded Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care (HBCCC) units on Wednesday.

A letter stated the units were no longer “fit for purpose”. HBCCC involves the care of old age psychiatry patients with a dementia diagnosis who need extra clinical support.

The majority of those in the units have already been in mainstream care homes but had been forced to leave when staff were unable to cope with their behaviours and needs.In the letter, HC-One said: “It has become clear that the environment and layout of three communities at Hatton Lea are not fit for purpose to support the level of care required for the residents living in the units.”Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.We also treat our