A NATIONAL care body has warned attempts by North Ayrshire health chiefs to end the contracts of private 'care at home' providers will lead to fewer people at risk being helped.

Scottish Care hit out after the North Ayrshire health and social care partnership (NAHSCP) said the contracts of three independent care providers working in the area would be cancelled in June.

And they have been attempting to tempt staff from the companies, TLC Scotland, First Homecare and Delight Supported Living, to come over and work for them.

The move outraged the care providers, who claimed a council letter sent to their clients had caused anxiety and panic. 

Scottish Care, the representative body of independent care at home providers, including those which are charitable, not-for-profit, private, and employee-owned, blasted the council move.

A spokesperson said in a statement:  “As an organisation we very rarely make public comment on local actions, but we find ourselves unable to remain silent about what is happening in North Ayrshire.

“Scottish Care is concerned that actions of the NAHSCP endangers the care and support of those who are at the moment receiving services in the North Ayrshire area and which in the future will limit the legal rights and choices of residents in the area.”

The say the NAHSCP has not made public the costs of in-house services - and claim that bringing services in-house will cost more than double the amount spent on outsourced care and support.

Scottish Care said: "Whilst the NAHSCP has sought to reassure individuals that they will have the right to remain with existing providers and staff, we have no confidence of the independence of information and support being given to people.

"Will citizens have real choice, and independent support, to allow them to make the decision which is right for them, rather than what suits the NAHSCP?

"Every person who requires social care and support, anywhere in Scotland, has the right to choose a provider - whether the council or not - to provide that care.

"Scottish Care is concerned that in the future residents of North Ayrshire will be denied this legal right."

They warned: "The NAHSCP believes that most of the workers employed by existing providers will want to transfer to their employment. We already know many will not because they simply do not want to work for the council.

"This will mean an even greater shortage of workers at such a critical time. Scottish Care would like to know if the NAHSCP has undertaken an equality and human rights risk assessment on their decision especially as it affects the rights of this predominantly female and older workforce.

"Sadly, we do not believe the rights of frontline workers have been respected."

They concluded: "Scottish Care is very concerned that hard fought for human rights are effectively being denied by the actions of the North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership.

"By their actions NAHSCP have taken a step back in time rather than a step forward.

"Local residents and users of services both now and in the future, urgently need the NAHSCP to answer some fundamental questions."

The HSCP at the time of the annoucement: “The change will ensure a fair approach to care provision across North Ayrshire and provide long term stability and quality of care provision.

“People in receipt of care services who will be directly affected by this change have been contacted by NAHSCP to provide information about how the change will affect them, what their options are regarding the care that they receive now and in the future.

“NAHSCP is also committed to securing future employment for the care provider(s) staff, and as such is holding a series of events to provide advice and guidance for these staff over the coming weeks.”

The HSCP has been contacted for further comment on the Scottish Care claims.