Families warn of 'crisis' as Edinburgh and Livingston respite centres face closure
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The Edinburgh and Livingston facilities are used by parents of children with severe disabilities
Families of children with severe disabilities have warned they will "spiral into crisis" if one of two Lothian respite centres is closed.
Parents using Sunndach in Livingston and Calareidh in Edinburgh said the specialist facilities are a lifeline that keeps their households balanced.
One parent, Lynsey Scott, told BBC Scotland News of the potential ramifications that the closure of the Sunndach centre attended by her daughter Thea might cause.
She said: "It would probably spiral us into crisis. It is just what keeps us balanced at the moment, in terms of getting some time with Logan and getting a little bit of time to even just sleep in our own houses without NHS staff coming and going every day.”
It is understood that no decision has been made on which of the two centres will close, but NHS Lothian said that the centres have only been used to around 50 per cent capacity since 2019.
The NHS describes the two purpose-built bungalows as a ‘home from home’. They allow children and young people with complex medical needs or disabilities to benefit from long-term residential or short-term respite care, away from a hospital environment.
A 24-hour team of specialist nurses and other health professionals care for the children in a ‘supportive, comfortable and homely space’.
The Sunndach residential centre is based in the Knightsridge area of Livingston, whilst Calareidh is based near the Jewel in Edinburgh. The centres celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2023.
Aris Tyrothoulakis, Director for Women’s & Children’s Services at NHS Lothian said: “No decisions have been made yet about the future of children’s residential respite care at Sunndach and Calareidh.
“Both homes were operating below 50% capacity since 2019, so they are currently being reviewed to ensure services remain sustainable and efficient, while continuing to meet the needs of existing families who rely on this important support.
“Respite care is a service provided to families and carers to provide them with a short break. A child’s healthcare needs are assessed separately by NHS Lothian and met through a different service, which is not the focus of this review.
“We are working closely with families, staff and Local Authorities, which have a legal duty to provide appropriate support to carers, to explore all future delivery options and consider future service demand. A formal options appraisal is expected to be completed later this year.”