No. 7671 Established 1873
Friday 7 October, 2022
www.campbeltowncourier.co.uk
£1
Funeral director in urgent call over burials COUNCILLOR FRUSTRATED IN BID FOR NEW SCHOOL
HSCP to fund and run care home in ‘exceptional step’ by Hannah O’Hanlon
editor@campbeltowncourier.co.uk
UHI Argyll tutor Kerry named most engaging online lecturer Online learning is not always easy but it helps when you have a tutor as engaging as Campbeltown’s Kerry McGeachy. Childcare lecturer Kerry was presented with a prize from the Highlands and Islands Students Association for being the
most engaging online lecturer at UHI Argyll’s graduation and prizegiving ceremony in September. Kerry, right, received her award from Dr Rosemary Allford, chairperson of the UHI Argyll board. Photograph: Ronnie Cairns. See page seven for more.
In what is being described as an ‘exceptional step’, Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) will fund the purchase of Kintyre Care Home and take over responsibility for its operations. It comes a year and a half after HC-One, the UK’s largest care home operator, announced its intention to sell the 40-room residential nursing home which offers the only nursing care provision in Campbeltown – or in the west of Argyll and Bute. As the HSCP is a partnership between Argyll and Bute Council and NHS Highland, it cannot legally own the centre in its own right. Argyll and Bute Council has therefore agreed to take legal
responsibility for the building, to allow services to continue to be available in the area. The council and NHS Highland will work with HCOne to maintain employment options for staff who are expected to transfer to Argyll and Bute Council or NHS
nursing services in the west of Argyll and Bute. ‘Given this, and the level of investment required, we can, in this instance, step in to continue residential nursing services in the area.’ Councillor Amanda Hampsey, policy lead for care
‘This is the best result we could have hoped for and should provide the continuity...for staff and a more consistent level of care for residents.’ Highland. ‘This is an exceptional step for us to take,’ said Caroline Cherry, head of adult care services at the HSCP. ‘Financial implications, as a rule, would put this option beyond the reach of the HSCP; we have identified, however, that there is no other viable option for providing residential
services, added: ‘We understand that families want their loved ones to be cared for as close to home as possible. ‘Therefore we are providing the support needed to maintain these services as the only option for the area. ‘We look forward to working with HC-One and the HSCP in
ensuring a smooth transition for residents and employees.’ The move has been welcomed by South Kintyre’s ward councillors, who have been contacted by concerned members of the community since the home was first put up for sale. ‘Since the announcement by HC-One that its intention was to withdraw from Campbeltown, I have been making representations to the council to consider taking over the running of the home,’ said Councillor Donald Kelly. ‘This is the best result we could have hoped for and should provide the continuity of employment and better conditions for staff, coupled with a more consistent level of care for residents.’ Councillor Tommy Macpherson said that during Continued on page 2.