THE FUTURE of two South Ayrshire care homes faced with closure remains in unclear, despite council review.

South Ayrshire Council reviewed its residential care services including South Lodge Care Home in Ayr and Hillcrest Care Home in Girvan. Supporters of the residencies felt this put them at risk of closure.

They started an online campaign, via change.org to save them. The petition was supposed to be discussed at a council meeting last Thursday, February 2 but the decision has been postponed until later on in the day.

The petition, which received 275 signatures, is expected to brought to the servicing performance panel or the integrated joint board.

South Ayrshire Council require more information on potential costs to save the care homes before they make their final decision.

South Lodge and Hillcrest were previously reviewed, to allow South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership to look into maintaining one of the services, upgrading facilities and the potential closure of one of the residencies.

Those who signed the petition had the opportunity to voice their opinion on why they should be saved.

Margaret McDonald, from Ayr, said: "I believe that the rights of residents in these two homes should be respected. They should be able to live a safe and comfortable life in their latter years.

" Money that is squandered by this council should be used to ensure that these homes remain within our community."

John Shields, of Girvan, commented: "We had relief when my mother in law stayed there. The care was excellent and the home is a rare asset in times of real need."

Ann Robertson, from Barrhill, said: "These care homes are badly needed in South Ayrshire without them residents will not be able to stay in their local areas."

Lyn Binning, from Dalrymple, added: "This is my sisters work. I've signed to petition because of the residents. The elderly are so vulnerable and taking their home and 'family' away from them can be so detrimental to their health and in extreme cases may be the final straw."

"This is these people's home and they have known the staff long enough to relate them as family. It is terrible that thinking of taking so many people's homes away."

Denis Reid, Chairman of Friends of Hillcrest, previously said: "“It is vital to Carrick that Hillcrest’s role in the community is secured."

A decision should be made next month.