A CONCERNED son says his dementia-stricken mum is being 'callously' forced from her home with nowhere to go.
Ron Mckinnon, 65, says his 89-year-old mother is essentially being 'evicted' after the closure of Auchinlea Care Home in Largs was announced.
With no assurance of a permanent place elsewhere in the area, the 10 remaining residents have been left scrambling to find alternative living arrangements. 
Ron claims that council budget cuts to elderly care have resulted in 'social cleansing', after he was told that there was only one vacant residential place in the whole council area.
MSP Jamie Greene is backing Ron, saying that the council must ensure it has nearby care facilities to offer displaced residents.
Ron's mum, Nancy Mckinnon retired to Largs 26 years ago but now faces being moved outwith the whole of North Ayrshire due to the lack of care spaces available.
Ron said: "My mother suffers from dementia and Auchinlea has been her home for almost seven years.
"It truly is her home and she is exceedingly happy there. 
"Widowhood was hard for her and loneliness gnawed at her very being, but in Auchinlea she blossomed. 
"The move from here could be very hazardous to her mental and emotional health.
"The staff at Auchinlea have been outstanding and they too are being let down.
"She is on a waiting list for a residential home in Beith but, of course, it is unknown when a vacancy will arise - and what of the other residents remaining?
"The remaining ten have been given weeks to find alternative accommodation.
"These vulnerable people have, in effect, been served ‘a notice of eviction’ from their home without any indication of where they might alternatively be lodged.
"The social work department of North Ayrshire Health & Social Care Partnership has confirmed that there is only one vacant residential place in the whole of the council area and this is appropriate only for someone with no issues of mobility.
"As there are no suitable residential facilities whatsoever for the frail and elderly in the whole of the council area, accommodation must be sought outwith North Ayrshire.
"Although they would contribute financially, any difference in costs between the charges of the new home and those formerly charged by Auchinlea, even for publicly-funded clients, would need to be met privately.
"The Scottish Government claims that free personal care is available for everyone aged 65 and over in Scotland who have been assessed by the local authority as needing it.
"North Ayrshire Council is not honouring this obligation."
Auchinlea announced in January that it would be officially closing its doors after failing to find a buyer.
The owners Bertinaley Care Limited ran in to a cash crisis in September last year and the company plunged into administration.
MSP Mr Greene said: “It is incredibly important that those living in Auchinlea are given some assurances that alternative accommodation is available.
“Care homes provide a vital service to North Ayrshire’s elderly, and it is incumbent on the local council and the Scottish Government to ensure that if one care home is closing, that there is another nearby that patrons can move to.
“I will continue to engage with North Ayrshire Council on this issue and hope that this issue can be resolved.”
A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Health & Social Care Partnership said: “This is clearly an unsettling and stressful time for everyone concerned. We are working extremely hard with the residents and their families to find suitable homes.
“With regard to the charges and payments for care homes we adhere to the National Care Home rates for residential and nursing care and are not responsible and have no influence on any additional charges that may be levied by individual care homes.
“Each individual's financial circumstances are different and the team working with the ten Auchinlea residents and their families will offer support and guidance in relation to funding options.
“The availability of placements changes frequently within the care home sector. 
"Care homes reserve the right to either accept or decline taking an individual and the partnership has no control over who a care home will accept and who they won't.
“There may be people who require to have their needs met outwith North Ayrshire as there aren't enough placements currently available. 
"That is hugely regrettable but sadly unavoidable given the circumstances."