Labour calls for greater use of Leuchie care centre
The Leader of the Labour group is calling on East Lothian Council to “block book” places for local people at Leuchie House, the respite care centre, near North Berwick.
Councillor Willie Innes will put forward a motion at a council meeting on Tuesday urging an increase in the number of places to help carers in the county and to support the facility which is “a valuable local resource.”
He said: “Currently there is a significant shortfall in the number of respite places in East Lothian, made worse by the closure of Cockenzie House Nursing Home which used to provide this service for many elderly county residents.
“The new service at Leuchie House, which has now opened up beyond those suffering from multiple sclerosis, provides respite and holiday opportunities for a wide range of people needing support is a real opportunity. I am suggesting that the council enters a contract to block book places at Leuchie which they can make available to local people.
“Having access to places at Leuchie House would go some way to address the situation and give much needed respite opportunities to carers.
“Entering into a block contract with Leuchie House will also help give some financial stability to a very worthwhile charitable organisation that is currently in a transitional stage of its development and still finding its feet.
“Leuchie House provides services for people across Scotland and sometimes beyond but it has huge support from the East Lothian community and I would like to see the county make more use of this gem on our own doorstep.
“This could be a real win-win for East Lothian Council, Leuchie House and most important of all some of our most vulnerable citizens and their families.”
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Monday 21 May 2012
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