War of words over fate of McClymont House

They came at Monday night’s meeting of Lanark Community Council when it was alleged by council member and Labour Party member Ed Archer that rooms vacated at the council-run home after a resident’s death are now not being reallocated to new residents and staff are being replaced when they leave.

The SNP-controlled South Lanarkshire Council has dismissed such claims in the past as alarmist and politically motivated but says it is putting more emphasis on home care for the elderly in future.

On Tuesday Val de Souza of the South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “I can confirm there has been no decision taken to not admit new residents to McClymont House. In order to meet our regulatory requirements there are times that in order to deliver and manage safe quality care for our service users, we have to hold bed vacancies until such times as sufficient trained staff are in post. Recruitment for McClymont House is progressing and a number of new staff appointments have been made.”