THREE Glasgow centres for older people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds are to close.

Right now the city council provides day-care services for the Chinese, Indian and mainly Pakistani communities, including faith-related services for Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims.

Recently, a review was carried out of day-care provision for elderly people in the city which highlighted the need for modernisation to allow the social work department to target those with the most complex needs on an equal basis.

The review found 60% of people who used the services for the black and minority ethnic population would not be eligible for council day-care.

It established that

people from the Chinese, Indian and Pakistani communities access to services for older people at 55 compared with 65 in most centres.

A report from city council social work spokesman Malcolm Cunning said: "No other black and minority ethnic communities in Glasgow have specific registered day-care."

To bring the services for all older people into line, the council's day care services in the

Central Mosque, Drumry House and Merrylee will close.

Instead, people who meet the criteria will be able to attend new day-care centres at Toryglen and Hinshaw Street.

Mr Cunning said: "These proposals represent the final phase of the reform of day service provision for older people in Glasgow and ensures an equality of provision for the city's older population. The new model should provide equality of access to services while being sensitive to the specific needs of different communities.

"Specific day centres for certain ethnic groups have been in place for very many years but this provision is now considered unsustainable when viewed against today's increasingly diverse population in the city.

"In the circumstances the best option is to provide a mainstream service that is responsive to the various needs of those who require a range of support up to and including specialist day care facilities.

The council survey looked at the suitability of current buildings, the number and type of services available and the current and projected demand for services.

It found the over-65 white population in

Glasgow is expected to grow by more than 12% by 2023 while the white population in the city who are over 85 is expected to soar by more than 25% over the same timescale.