Greenbank Church

EASTWOODHILL NEWS
Efforts to save Eastwoodhill from closure moved on recently when a representative group from SAVE met with our MP and MSP, and senior representatives of East Renfrewshire Social Work and the Church's Board of Social Responsibility.

The discussion was frank and positive and the Board of Social Responsibility reaffirmed its position that, without guaranteed funding to cover running costs in the future, Eastwoodhill would close by 2007. It was again confirmed that this was the only impediment to its redevelopment as the Board had no plans to sell the site to realise its value, but accepted SAVE's plan which envisaged a private development financing a rebuilt and modern Eastwoodhill.

SAVE pointed out that the risk of inadequate future funding was minimal since, even with the closure threat, Eastwoodhill had a waiting list and therefore a redeveloped and modernised home offering an enhanced level of care would have no difficulty at all in attracting residents. They emphasised that they could see no practical reason why the redevelopment should not go ahead.

In response the Board maintained that the future of Eastwoodhill lay in the successful outcome of a tender to supply care places to Glasgow City Council. This would guarantee that a certain number of rooms would have assured funding. The result of this tender should be known soon and is anxiously awaited by residents, their relatives and staff alike.
In conclusion, an appeal was made to everyone to try to find ways which could minimise the risks to the Board of guaranteeing Eastwoodhill's future.

Thanks are due to Jim Murphy and Ken Macintosh for their valuable support along with the well-publicised support of local Councillors and local people who have been firm in their conviction that Eastwoodhill must be saved.

Finally, Anne McLean is warmly welcomed as the new Unit Manager. She comes to Eastwoodhill at a very difficult time and she and the staff need all our support as they strive to maintain the traditional high standard of care while coping with the pressures brought by the uncertainty of the current situation.

If you would like further information about the SAVE Campaign, please contact Alistair Park on 0141 638 3305; email alistairpark.giffnock@virgin.net

SAVE is in the process of building a website and this can be viewed at www.eastwoodhill.org.uk.