UNISON officials are calling on the First Minister to intervene in Bield Housing’s decision to axe care homes, including two in Dunfermline.

Around 20 elderly people will be uprooted from their homes at Gillie Court and Grants Bank, with another 10 homes across Scotland also affected.

Families of residents were told last Tuesday that their loved ones would have to move as the facilities will close by the end of July next year.

Unison said 200 qualified care workers will be made compulsorily redundant and Scottish organiser John Gallacher said: “First Minister Nicola Sturgeon must intervene and ask how Bield Housing’s management team got themselves into this position.

“This is a disaster for families across Scotland and it questions the role of government, integrated joint boards, NHS and local authorities. The task of making alternative arrangements will fall back on public authorities, the tax payer and individual families at a few months’ notice.

“This is at a time when demand for care services can only increase. As a charity using public funds, Bield must be held accountable. We need urgent action by Scottish Government, COSLA and other agencies to save vitals services and jobs.”

In a statement, Bield said it made the “very difficult decision to withdraw from the residential care home market” as it was in the “best interests” of the long-term future and sustainability of their organisation.

The Age Scotland charity warned that closing care homes will have serious consequences for vulnerable residents. They are calling for a compulsory risk register for all care homes to anticipate and mitigate against similar closures.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, MSP for Dunfermline added:“I have written to Bield to confirm, as a matter of urgency, what their immediate plans are for Gillie Court and Grants Bank. Specifically, I’ve asked what discussions are being had with other care providers to take over management of each care home.

“I’m also calling on Bield to do everything possible to ensure that the residents are placed at the centre of any changes Bield makes to its services.

“My heart goes out to the residents and staff at this uncertain time. The residents are an important part of the community here in Dunfermline, and Bield must urgently provide them with answers about their future living arrangements.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We understand that this must be an unsettling time for all residents, families and employees affected by Bield’s decision.

“Since being alerted to Bield’s intention to redesign its service model, we have been engaging with the Care Inspectorate and chief officers of integration authorities to ensure that plans are put in place to ensure that residents’ care needs are a priority and that they will continue to be met in an appropriate setting. “We will continue to engage with authorities about these plans.

“In the current financial year almost half a billion pounds of NHS spending will be invested in social care services, underlining that importance we attach to improving services.”

“Regarding care home staff, I would expect Bield to have a positive and constructive attitude toward requests for voluntary redundancy, and to make every effort to support them at this time.”

The Scottish Government have said Health and Social Care Partnerships are now managing more than £8bn in health and social care provision and in the current financial year almost half a billion pounds of NHS spending will be invested in social care services.

“The National Contingency Planning Group which includes representatives from Scottish Government, COSLA, Care inspectorate and provider organisations, will meet this week to discuss further what can be done to support at a national level.”