Glasgow End of Life Studies Group

The idea for the Crichton Care Campus is based on the provision of 'housing with care' for older people who may live on the campus in the knowledge that over time any escalating care needs they may encounter will be met on site, including end of life care.

This would be a retirement village which also provides a wide variety of care needs, and meet a growing health and social care need in the region.

The care campus could include:

• a teaching and research oriented nursing home
• a hospice day unit, run charitably or through social enterprise
• a children’s nursery – to give opportunities for contact and activity across generations and to serve the needs of parents working on the Crichton Campus
• a well-being and wellness centre to promote healthy ageing
• retail and food and drink outlets

The Crichton Care Campus would enjoy all the benefits of co-location with a college and university campus, bringing opportunities for collaborative working and co-production.

The idea is that the campus could be the driver of significant inward investment relating to innovation in assisted living. It could be based on public-private-voluntary sector partnership, and draw on evidence-based examples internationally. It could be a first for Scotland.

local context

The population of Scotland in 2012 was 5.31 million. It is projected to reach around 6.3 million by 2087. Scotland's population increase will not be spread evenly across all age groups. The number of people in the 75+ age group is predicted to increase most - by 86% between 2012-37.

These trends are particularly marked in Dumfries and Galloway. The region has a notably ageing population and people age 65 and over will make up 27% of those living in the region by 2020. The number of people in Dumfries and Galloway age 75+ will grow by 77% - from less than 15,000 in 2010 to 26,000 in 2035.