A Perth mother is experiencing immense relief and joy following the confirmation that her son, who has spent over 14 years residing in a specialist care facility in Dundee, will finally be able to transition back to a local home in Perth and Kinross. This significant development marks a pivotal moment for the family, culminating a lengthy period of uncertainty and advocacy.
Steven Laing, now 42 years old, lives with both autism and a learning disability. He was admitted to the Strathmartine Centre in Dundee during a period of acute crisis in 2011 and has remained an inpatient at the mental health facility since then. His prolonged stay, spanning more than a decade, highlights the complex challenges faced by families navigating specialized care provision for loved ones with additional support needs.
Earlier this year, Steven’s mother, Susan Lang, voiced her deep concerns regarding delays in her son’s relocation. His planned move to a new residence at Bertha Park in Perth was unexpectedly put on hold in October due to what was described as a “funding gap.” Mrs. Lang had openly expressed her distress, suggesting that Perth and Kinross Council was “failing” her son. She emphasized that Steven was fully prepared for discharge, having been assessed as ready to move into a more appropriate, community-based setting, but remained “locked away” in Dundee. The fear was that any further postponement could severely impact Steven’s well-being and hinder the progress he had already made towards greater independence.
However, a welcome update arrived last Tuesday, just four days after details of the funding impasse were publicly reported. Mrs. Lang received confirmation from social workers that the necessary financial arrangements had been secured, paving the way for Steven’s long-awaited move. The news has brought considerable solace to the family after what had become a source of profound anxiety. Breakthrough Funding Paves Way for Local Relocation
Reflecting on the emotional journey, Mrs. Lang shared her profound relief. The period of uncertainty was particularly challenging given Steven’s sensitivities. She explained the meticulous planning required when preparing Steven for any life changes, noting that he had been “blissfully unaware of what had been going on” concerning the funding issues. He had already begun purchasing items for his new home, and the family chose not to burden him with the potential setback, safeguarding his emotional stability during a crucial preparatory phase. The current aspiration is for Steven to settle into his new home by the first week of December, with a contingency plan to postpone until the new year if necessary, to ensure a smooth and gentle transition.
The breakthrough in securing the required resources was detailed in a letter from Jacquie Pepper, the Integrated Health and Social Care Director for Perth and Kinross, addressed to First Minister John Swinney. Mr. Swinney had previously intervened on behalf of Susan and Steven, underlining the high-level attention this case had received. The letter confirmed that funding has been successfully obtained through a non-recurring payment from the Scottish Government. This is understood to be a bridging fund of £700,000, specifically allocated until March 2026, to facilitate these critical transitions.
Ms. Pepper’s correspondence highlighted the broader strategic commitment to move long-term patients from institutional settings into suitable community care. She stated: “The temporary pause arose as we worked through a plan for all four Perth and Kinross long-term patients from Strathmartine. Please be assured we take our responsibilities for this very seriously and we wish to make all of these discharges successful and in line with our ambitions, which accord with the aspirations in Coming Home (a programme to reduce delayed discharges).”
She further elaborated on the specific nature of the support for Steven’s case: “We, Perth and Kinross, were very fortunate to be supported by non-recurring Scottish Government funding of £700k to end of March 2026 as bridging to support this. I believe that this is a unique arrangement in Scotland. The pause arose because we needed to secure permanent funding for Steven in a situation where the health and social care partnership is projecting significant overspends. Permanent funding for Steven has now been sourced as of Monday November 3 2025.”
This “unique arrangement” underscores the complexities and financial pressures often involved in transitioning individuals from long-term care, especially when health and social care partnerships face significant budget challenges. The letter also outlined broader goals, indicating that the partnership intends for all remaining Perth and Kinross patients at Strathmartine to be discharged into their own homes by June 2026, signaling a wider strategic shift towards community-based living. A New Chapter in Perth with Dedicated Support
Upon his move to Perth, Steven will benefit from comprehensive 24/7 care provided by the Richmond Fellowship, a well-regarded organization specializing in support for individuals with mental health challenges and learning disabilities. This dedicated support system is designed to facilitate his adjustment and promote his well-being in a familiar, local environment.
Mrs. Lang expressed her strong belief that this change will significantly enhance her son’s quality of life. She candidly shared her perspective that Steven had become “institutionalised” during his many years within the hospital setting. The transition, while eagerly anticipated, is being approached with careful consideration.
The plan involves Mrs. Lang accompanying Steven for several days each week to his new home, allowing him to gradually familiarize himself with the space and the new support staff. “Then once he is used to it, the move will happen,” she noted, highlighting the person-centered approach being taken. Despite acknowledging that “there will be hurdles, it is never going to be plain sailing,” Mrs. Lang remains optimistic. “Hopefully we can get there,” she said, adding that Steven himself is “looking forward to it, I think he is fed up of being in hospital this long.”
A spokesperson for the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership reiterated their commitment to these individualized transitions: “We cannot comment on individual patients. However, there are many important considerations when supporting people to return to the community and live in their own homes after a long period in hospital. The health and social care partnership is fully committed to getting this right for every individual through a person-centred approach. To secure specific and sustainable support packages in place, we work closely with partners to ensure safe and personalised care and minimise the risk of any potential disruption to this support.”
This story of perseverance and eventual success serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of community integration and the dedicated efforts required from families, local authorities, and national government to ensure that individuals with complex needs can live fulfilling lives within their home communities, such as those across Perth and Kinross. The wider initiative to transition all long-term patients from Strathmartine to local homes by mid-2026 further underscores this commitment to compassionate and integrated care.
Steven Laing, now 42 years old, lives with both autism and a learning disability. He was admitted to the Strathmartine Centre in Dundee during a period of acute crisis in 2011 and has remained an inpatient at the mental health facility since then. His prolonged stay, spanning more than a decade, highlights the complex challenges faced by families navigating specialized care provision for loved ones with additional support needs.
Earlier this year, Steven’s mother, Susan Lang, voiced her deep concerns regarding delays in her son’s relocation. His planned move to a new residence at Bertha Park in Perth was unexpectedly put on hold in October due to what was described as a “funding gap.” Mrs. Lang had openly expressed her distress, suggesting that Perth and Kinross Council was “failing” her son. She emphasized that Steven was fully prepared for discharge, having been assessed as ready to move into a more appropriate, community-based setting, but remained “locked away” in Dundee. The fear was that any further postponement could severely impact Steven’s well-being and hinder the progress he had already made towards greater independence.
However, a welcome update arrived last Tuesday, just four days after details of the funding impasse were publicly reported. Mrs. Lang received confirmation from social workers that the necessary financial arrangements had been secured, paving the way for Steven’s long-awaited move. The news has brought considerable solace to the family after what had become a source of profound anxiety. Breakthrough Funding Paves Way for Local Relocation
Reflecting on the emotional journey, Mrs. Lang shared her profound relief. The period of uncertainty was particularly challenging given Steven’s sensitivities. She explained the meticulous planning required when preparing Steven for any life changes, noting that he had been “blissfully unaware of what had been going on” concerning the funding issues. He had already begun purchasing items for his new home, and the family chose not to burden him with the potential setback, safeguarding his emotional stability during a crucial preparatory phase. The current aspiration is for Steven to settle into his new home by the first week of December, with a contingency plan to postpone until the new year if necessary, to ensure a smooth and gentle transition.
The breakthrough in securing the required resources was detailed in a letter from Jacquie Pepper, the Integrated Health and Social Care Director for Perth and Kinross, addressed to First Minister John Swinney. Mr. Swinney had previously intervened on behalf of Susan and Steven, underlining the high-level attention this case had received. The letter confirmed that funding has been successfully obtained through a non-recurring payment from the Scottish Government. This is understood to be a bridging fund of £700,000, specifically allocated until March 2026, to facilitate these critical transitions.
Ms. Pepper’s correspondence highlighted the broader strategic commitment to move long-term patients from institutional settings into suitable community care. She stated: “The temporary pause arose as we worked through a plan for all four Perth and Kinross long-term patients from Strathmartine. Please be assured we take our responsibilities for this very seriously and we wish to make all of these discharges successful and in line with our ambitions, which accord with the aspirations in Coming Home (a programme to reduce delayed discharges).”
She further elaborated on the specific nature of the support for Steven’s case: “We, Perth and Kinross, were very fortunate to be supported by non-recurring Scottish Government funding of £700k to end of March 2026 as bridging to support this. I believe that this is a unique arrangement in Scotland. The pause arose because we needed to secure permanent funding for Steven in a situation where the health and social care partnership is projecting significant overspends. Permanent funding for Steven has now been sourced as of Monday November 3 2025.”
This “unique arrangement” underscores the complexities and financial pressures often involved in transitioning individuals from long-term care, especially when health and social care partnerships face significant budget challenges. The letter also outlined broader goals, indicating that the partnership intends for all remaining Perth and Kinross patients at Strathmartine to be discharged into their own homes by June 2026, signaling a wider strategic shift towards community-based living. A New Chapter in Perth with Dedicated Support
Upon his move to Perth, Steven will benefit from comprehensive 24/7 care provided by the Richmond Fellowship, a well-regarded organization specializing in support for individuals with mental health challenges and learning disabilities. This dedicated support system is designed to facilitate his adjustment and promote his well-being in a familiar, local environment.
Mrs. Lang expressed her strong belief that this change will significantly enhance her son’s quality of life. She candidly shared her perspective that Steven had become “institutionalised” during his many years within the hospital setting. The transition, while eagerly anticipated, is being approached with careful consideration.
The plan involves Mrs. Lang accompanying Steven for several days each week to his new home, allowing him to gradually familiarize himself with the space and the new support staff. “Then once he is used to it, the move will happen,” she noted, highlighting the person-centered approach being taken. Despite acknowledging that “there will be hurdles, it is never going to be plain sailing,” Mrs. Lang remains optimistic. “Hopefully we can get there,” she said, adding that Steven himself is “looking forward to it, I think he is fed up of being in hospital this long.”
A spokesperson for the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership reiterated their commitment to these individualized transitions: “We cannot comment on individual patients. However, there are many important considerations when supporting people to return to the community and live in their own homes after a long period in hospital. The health and social care partnership is fully committed to getting this right for every individual through a person-centred approach. To secure specific and sustainable support packages in place, we work closely with partners to ensure safe and personalised care and minimise the risk of any potential disruption to this support.”
This story of perseverance and eventual success serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of community integration and the dedicated efforts required from families, local authorities, and national government to ensure that individuals with complex needs can live fulfilling lives within their home communities, such as those across Perth and Kinross. The wider initiative to transition all long-term patients from Strathmartine to local homes by mid-2026 further underscores this commitment to compassionate and integrated care.