The Scottish Government's response to the closure of one of veterans' charity Erskine's care homes has been branded "disappointing" by a local campaigner.
We previously reported Erskine Park Home, in Bishopton, which provides round-the-clock care for 40 dementia sufferers, will shut its doors by March next year.
In a statement issued to The Gazette, bosses at Erskine said current funding received from the Scottish Government under the National Care Home Contract Fee is no longer enough to sustain existing services.
In response, a spokesperson for the Scottish Government said the National Care Home Contract rate was negotiated between Cosla and Scottish Care.
However, Grant Toghill, spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats in Renfrewshire, believes the Scottish Government should be doing more to prevent the closure of care homes.
He told The Gazette: "Honestly, the response that came out from the government saying it is not in their remit to intervene is so disappointing but not surprising.
"While yes, the National Care Home Contract rate is set between Cosla and Scottish Care, that does not let the government off the hook for making cuts to local council funding. Basically, making Cosla not have the ability to offer more for our care sector.
"The Scottish Government like to talk a lot about social care and a national care service but really need to start delivering for the sector now. The money from the national care service plans should be instead given to local authorities to deliver a better deal to help prevent closures."
READ MORE: Veterans charity Erskine to axe care home - with jobs at risk
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "The Scottish Government is not a party to the negotiations for the National Care Home Contract, but we note that the new agreed rate between the sector and Cosla reflects increased costs, including higher energy costs.
"We recognise that there is an urgent need to make improvements to social care now, and we are not waiting for the introduction of the National Care Service to start that process.
"Funding for social care has increased already by over £800 million compared to 2021-22. This is well ahead of the trajectory to meet our commitment to increase funding for social care by 25% , £840 million, over the life of the Parliament.
"We will continue to drive improvements, for example to terms and conditions for our valued workforce - making it an attractive profession and bringing even more talent into the sector."
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