Cash-strapped health chiefs have revealed where they intend to cut costs in North Ayrshire to tackle the “most challenging financial position” they’ve ever faced.

The number of places in care homes funded by the North Ayrshire health and social care partnership (HSCP) will be reduced, while people in sheltered housing complexes will have to pay for community alarms.

The cuts were announced at a meeting of the partnership’s integration joint board (IJB) – which was told that in order to deliver a balanced budget, a funding gap of more than £10 million had had to be overcome.

The IJB’s finance chief, Paul Doak, told the board meeting: “I am pleased to say this presents a balanced budget position for agreement by the IJB. This and our transformation plan are the culmination of a long process of planning and exploring different options we have gone through right back to last summer.

“This is undoubtedly the most challenging financial position that the IJB has faced since its inception. The final settlement is really challenging.

“The financial modelling we carried out last year suggested that for 2024-25 the worst case scenario would have been about £11m, and what has come to pass means we are very close to that.”

The total funding gap for 2024-25 was £10.29m.

The number of funded care home places will be cut by 15 to 765, saving £375,000.

A ‘sensory impairment’ manager post will be removed, saving £62,000, while the redesign of the children and families service and the criminal justice social work service will save £123,000, along with a restructure of some areas of specialist provision, including substance use and corporate  parenting.

A review of community care and streamlining of day care provision will save a further £100,000.

Charging sheltered housing residents for community alarms is expected to bring in £200,000 in extra revenue, while the capacity of the Montrose House care home on Arran will be restricted to its current level to save £111,000.

In addition, allowing ‘back office’ staff to leave through North Ayrshire Council’s ‘voluntary early release’ scheme will save £174,000.

Scott Hunter, the partnership’s chief social work officer, added: “This year’s financial settlement continues to be challenging in all kinds of ways but despite this, the budget allows North Ayrshire Council to continue its statutory duties in relation to social work services as a result of many months of work. 

“Our residents shouldn’t care about resources when they need our help; they expect us to be there.

We will not leave children at significant risk or in harm’s way. The state must intervene in such circumstances.

“I would wish to express optimism around the plans in place for the next couple of years. These should deliver quality social care or social services to the people of North Ayrshire.”