Cost-cutting plans agreed by West Lothian Integration Joint Board (IJB) will mean the closure of two care homes and a move towards the privatisation of all home care services.

The IJB, which commissions adult health and social care services in West Lothian, said it needed to fill a £17.3 million funding gap over three years due to rising demand for services from a growing elderly population as well the increasing costs such as energy and staffing.

Alison White, chief officer of the West Lothian IJB, said: “To put it simply, if we do not agree to make significant changes to the way in which we deliver services, we will need to stop some services altogether to make the required savings and we do not want to do that.

“What our proposals and engagement work will focus on is ensuring that the same level of service for local people continues, and the only way we can do that is to change the way in which some of these services are delivered.”

The agreed budget will mean the closure of two care homes and a move towards the privatisation of 100% of all home care services. Currently, 93% of home care services are carried out by private providers with 7% offered by council-run services. A West Lothian Council spokesperson told Caring Times some home care services would still be council-run under the plans.

UNISON regional organiser, Ian Fitzpatrick, said: “The proposals will impact on approximately 500 low paid, mainly part-time female council workers and vulnerable people in care in West Lothian. The wholesale transfer of care to the private sector is unacceptable and UNISON we will do everything it can to mobilise against these proposals.

“In our experience, private care companies deliver services by slashing pay and conditions of employees. Closing homes and cutting staff pay and conditions means the most vulnerable people suffer from poorer standards of care. West Lothian Council and the NHS need to contribute more to the IJB budget so these services can remain in the public sector.”

GMB Scotland organiser Robert Deavy said: “Years and years of austerity have cut social care services to the bone. The latest cuts will only deepen the crisis facing the social care sector, its workforce and those they care for.

“Politicians have to learn they cannot cut their way out of a crisis. Privatising care which looks after our most vulnerable will be detrimental to the quality of the service provided.

“Experience shows us that workers will have their terms and conditions reduced. Workers – who are predominantly 500 low paid, mainly part-time female council workers – are already under pressure. They will be pushed even harder by employers motivated, not by people, but by profit.

“There is no recovery in our NHS without a recovery in care. But currently, there is no investment, no leadership, and no plan for lifting council services off their knees.”