FAMILIES and staff have lost their fight to stop East Renfrewshire Council selling its only care home off to the private sector.

Bonnyton House in Busby is to be sold after 60 years under local authority ownership as part of a plan to save £20million in the next three years.

East Renfrewshire Council said alternative proposals put forward to avoid the sell-off would not “come close” to delivering the savings required.

Families and staff fear a private sale with lead to a decline in standards and lower wages for staff as well as a loss in continuity of care.

One tearful worker said staff and families had been left devastated by the decision.

She said: “Shame on East Renfrewshire Council for putting cost before care.

“This home is a flagship of care in the community.

“Some of our residents have been here for 30 years. Many of the staff have been here for 10-20 years. There is a continuity of care that will be lost.

“We are absolutely gutted.”

Alan Smillie, whose 98-year-old Jessie is cared for at Bonnyton, said:”The families are very concerned that the cost of care is going to increase as a result of this.”

A spokeswoman for East Renfrewshire Council said: “We appreciate that this is a disappointing outcome and an anxious time for everyone involved with Bonnyton.

“And we want to assure residents and their families, and our staff that we will work closely with them during the next 18 months to ensure everyone is supported through the change.

“ No one will lose his or her home as a result of the sale.

”As part of the council’s budget consultation process in 2015, the council agreed to commission an independent review of the alternative options for Bonnyton House.

“The review concluded that in order to achieve the savings required, there is no viable alternative to the sale of the service.

“The requirement to find an additional £20 million savings over the next 3 years, on top of £32million found since 2011 has been very difficult.