Seabank Care Home in Saltcoats to close following financial issues

And the 45 elderly residents, many of whom suffer from dementia, are in the process of being moved out of the Canal Street building.

Police also revealed that a man has been arrested and charged with alleged theft and embezzlement and a spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "A 47-year-old man has been arrested and charged and will be the subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with alleged theft and embezzlement from a care home in Saltcoats."

Staff at the home received the shock news last week and are said to be devastated.

However, their main focus is to make sure the residents are being moved to adequate accommodation.

A staff member from the home told the Herald: "We received a moratorium from the director in regards to the financial sitauation and the council have came in and started to remove residents.

"This is not the staff's fault, they have been working really hard to turn it around and to have a home that people can be proud to work in. 

"We are hoping that the home will put into administation and someone will come in and buy it."

The North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership have moved in to help with transitioning the residents to other suitable accomodation.

The vast majority of those living in Seabank are funded by the local authority.

A spokesperson for the North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “Our highest priority is the safety and wellbeing of the residents in Seabank Care Home. Every effort will be made to support residents, families and carers through this difficult and unsettling period.

“The closure means that all residents living within the facility who are funded by North Ayrshire Council will be required to move. We have notified residents, families and carers of this situation and will discuss new care home placements with them to ensure people’s wishes are fully considered and fulfilled, where possible.

“We have allocated a team of staff whose aim is to ensure resident’s transition to their new home is as smooth, calm and straightforward as possible. The team will be working with residents and their families and carers to ensure they are safe and cared for appropriately during this time.

“We will also have staff based within the care home every day over the next two weeks to offer support to all residents.”

Local MP Patricia Gibson expressed her concern about the issue and said: “I am deeply concerned about the potential closure of this care home and the effect this will have on the very vulnerable residents, as well as the implications for dedicated members of staff who face the prospect of losing their jobs.

“I understand that North Ayrshire Council has been working hard to ensure that the remaining 45 residents are moved to alternative suitable accommodation as soon as possible. Their welfare must continue to be an absolute priority at this difficult time.”

The Director of Seabank Care Ltd did not wish to comment at this time.

For more on this developing story, see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.