By CAROLINE WILSON

SCOTLAND'S oldest veterans charity is to close one of its main care homes.

Some 26 elderly residents are facing upheaval due to the closure of Erskine Mains Care Home in the centre of the town.

The charity said it had experienced difficulty recruiting and retaining "sufficient" staff to run the home, coupled with a reduction in demand for nursing care.

Residents will be offered places in The Erskine Home on the Bishopton Estate, three miles away, or given the option to transfer elsewhere to other care homes.

A consultation is being launched with employees and trade unions representatives.

The charity said the intention is for all 50 staff from Erskine Mains to transfer to The Erskine Home.

Derek MacKay, MSP for Renfrewshire North and West said he was seeking talks with management over the plans.

In a letter to residents and their families, Erskine Chief Executive Mr Conway said: “For some time now Erskine has encountered difficulties recruiting and retaining sufficient staff to maintain the high standards and continuity of care that we believe are so important.

“We are experiencing a reduction in demand for nursing care, as the care and support services being provided in the community enable people to live in their own homes for longer, and the number of eligible veterans who require our specialist services is also reducing, so we are reducing our capacity to reflect the predicted demand and continue to provide the highest standards of care.”

The charity is exploring the possibility of converting the building to accommodate veterans who can live more independently.

Derek MacKay, MSP for Renfrewshire North & West said: "I am disappointed to hear the news that Erskine Mains Care Home will be closed.

"I will be in contact with the management over the issue, and to ensure that the residents are treated with compassion and care during what will be a difficult time.”

Erskine Chief Executive Steve Conway said: “This has been a difficult decision but we are working hard to make sure we minimize the disruption for our residents, their families and our staff.

“We do not underestimate the anxiety a move like this can cause residents and we hope our programme of familiarisation visits will make the transition as smooth as possible.

“Our highest priority is the care and well-being of our residents and maintaining our high standards and continuity of care that we believe are so important.”

The relocation programme was drawn up in consultation with Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership and the Care Inspectorate.

It is expected to be phased in over the next six months.

The home, in the centre of Erskine, opened in 2000 and provides 24 hour nursing care for 34 residents.

“We are also undertaking a formal consultation process with our employees and their trade union representatives, on our proposal that they move to Bishopton with the residents, and are in a position to offer continuity of care from familiar faces”.