Several West Lothian health advice centres to close

Five community health hubs set up for a two year trial are to close.

The hubs, established in community venues to offer advice and information on health and social care, have worked well in some communities but not in others.

Six hubs will be retained.

Agreeing to restructure the service, the Integration Joint Board heard mixed results across the county.

Linlithgow and Winchburgh saw poor footfall for its health hub services - named Community Connections - but the one in Fauldhouse quickly became an invaluable service to the village making a “tremendous difference.”

The Integration Joint Board agreed to shut the Community Connections hubs in Craigsfarm, Livingston, East Calder, Linlithgow, Winchburgh and Boghall in Bathgate.

A report to the board said the closure was: “based on the considerably low footfall in these hubs alongside these communities having access to a range of other community resources.”

Following a study over the winter after a two year trial it was decided that the hubs in Broxburn, Fauldhouse, Armadale, Blackburn would stay open; the facility in Livingston North will continue but move to an
alternative venue as will the hub in West Calder, which will relocate to Polbeth.

It was also agreed that there needs to be dedicated staff within each hub.

The hubs are staffed by health and social care employees and also members of the council’s Advice Shop team.

Councillor Tony Boyle said he was glad that the hub would continue in the Strathbrock centre in Broxburn but added that probably few used the Winchburgh hub because it was based in the community centre, which does not have a natural through flow of people on a regular basis.

Board chair, Councillor Tom Conn wondered if better communication between the hub teams and existing advice services could see the service returned to Linlithgow.

Karen Love, Senior Manager, Adult Services said: “The hubs were designed for early intervention through improved access to signposting and reducing the need for onward formal supports.

“A key success of the hubs was that people could have multiple enquiries addressed at the same time with there being no need for multiple formal onward referrals.

“This was of great benefit to individuals as it reduces the need for them to attend formal services and repeat their story on multiple occasions.”

In her report to the IJB Mrs Love added: “Those hubs with the lowest footfall are those sited in communities with a range of other services that provide financial assistance such as the Citizens Advice Bureau in
Craigshill.

“Linlithgow is also well serviced by a range of organisations designed to support health and well-being such as the OPAL service which provides a number of drop-in sessions with a key aim of promoting mental well-being and reducing isolation.”

She added: “Fauldhouse is well served by the Community Development Trust but it does have the same access to benefits and financial advice which may account for the high footfall sited with the hub there.”

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