A CRISIS in two York nursing homes has seen elderly people - some seriously ill - told they must find somewhere else to live.

The Evening Press can reveal that Blair Atholl Nursing Home, Haxby, is to close on November 17, giving its 26 elderly residents only six weeks to find a new home.

At least four, possibly as many as nine, seriously ill patients at York Rise Nursing Home, York, have been told they cannot stay at their home, because there are not enough fully-qualified staff to provide round-the-clock care.

The news that nursing home beds will be lost has greatly concerned York MP Hugh Bayley, who said they were "very precious".

And it is now feared that some of the residents may be forced into hospital, making the area's bed-blocking problems even worse.

The crisis comes at a time when hospitals, including York District Hospital, are already suffering serious bed shortages because of delayed discharges.

Dr Michael Devlin, manager at Blair Atholl, said he did not know what was going to happen to the people currently in his care.

"It is with considerable sadness that we must close. The Government has set new standards applying to the physical characteristics of the nursing home environment," he said.

"We cannot possibly comply with the standards, given that Blair Atholl was built at the turn of the last century.

"I don't know where everyone will go, but social services are busy working to ensure that everyone finds suitable accommodation."

Tony Jackson, owner of York Rise, added: "We have been struggling for months and have had to tell four of our residents they will have to leave. There are another five people who may also have to go.

"We are having to go residential. It is a matter of qualified staff. We simply cannot guarantee 24-hour-a-day nursing cover.

"This is a problem caused by central government and it is clear that we have reached crisis point.

"This nursing home has been my life, but it has reached the stage where I just cannot get qualified staff."

Mr Bayley said: "I know that private care homes are having a very difficult time financially, but the Government cannot compromise on standards.

"I am concerned to hear about closures because homes have an obligation to their existing residents who clearly do not want to move house at their age.

"If nursing home beds are being lost then I am very concerned because these beds are very precious.

"I would like to see anything that can be done to keep these beds

Updated: 10:02 Monday, October 08, 2001