Social care bosses have pledged to act swiftly but sensitively to move vulnerable residents from a crisis-hit care home.
A sheriff ordered Muirhead Care Home in Alford to close its doors at the end of this month after care bosses called the police in due to concerns over the residents’ welfare.
The Care Inspectorate took the emergency action about a fortnight ago after an inspection revealed residents had been tied to chairs with belts.
Inspectors also discovered that people had not been given enough food and some were not given vital medicines.
All 29 residents will now be moved to alternative accommodation at council-run or private facilities.
Angie Wood is partnership manager for central Aberdeenshire and has been drafted in to help manage the relocation.
Last night she insisted that the move would be carried out in as sensitive manner.
She said: “This is a very distressing time for residents and their families and we have to approach this as sensitively as possible.
“I think people were aware of our investigation but the news on Friday would have potentially come as a shock to them.
“Quite a lot of work has happened in the past couple of days to start this process, we are aware that we have a three week deadline but we don’t want to approach this with urgency but we do have time pressures.”
Yesterday the Press and Journal revealed that some residents, with more complex needs due to conditions like dementia, may have to be moved into hospital due to capacity issues in the region.
But Mrs Wood insisted this would be a temporary measure and one which would depend on individual circumstances.
“Community hospitals would be looked at if that is the most appropriate option,” she added.
“We have the ability to use these flexibly but it’s very much on an individual basis.”
Drop-in sessions for families and residents will be on offer at the home today with the Care Inspectorate also present.
Meanwhile, police confirmed yesterday that a 16-year-old woman was arrested and charged in connection with an alleged minor assault involving a female resident at the home in June.
She will be reported to the youth justice management unit.
The resident, in her 90s, was unhurt.