A health board planning to close the only dementia assessment unit in Argyll and Bute will be asked to save it today.
Union representatives are fighting against the closure of Knapdale ward at Mid Argyll Community Hospital in Lochgilphead.
Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership’s Integration Joint Board is to consider the move, which would see an enhanced specialist community resource replace the ward.
Almost 2,400 people have signed Unison’s petition to save the unit.
Simon Macfarlane, Unison regional organiser, said: “The HSCP hasn’t engaged constructively with staff.
“If it closes there would be no inpatient facility and people with dementia would have to go out of the area if they needed hospital care, which would most likely be Glasgow.”
The union is calling on the board to reject the proposal and carry out a consultation with staff, unions and the community about how best to provide the service.
Lochgilphead Councillor Dougie Philand said it was “an atrocious position to be in” for people in Argyll to have to travel to Glasgow for inpatient dementia care.
A spokeswoman for Argyll and Bute HSCP said: “A dementia redesign proposal has been submitted to the Integration Joint Board for consideration and approval at its next meeting on January 29.
“This proposal, if approved, will lead to the development of an Enhanced Community Dementia Team model which will deliver a specialist community resource for our localities.
“This will meet the changing needs of the people requiring dementia care and support services, while also leading to significant investment in our community health and social care services.”
