A care home run by nuns is to close after the firm in charge said they would not be able to bring the home up to modern standards.
Ker Maria Nursing Home run Augustinian Care in Princes Risborough provides care for elderly people suffering from dementia and other conditions which cause confusion.
The news has left relatives of residents at the home ‘shell-shocked and in disbelief’.
One woman, who wished to remain anonymous said: “My father has been at the home for many years and we have never had any issues with the quality of care he has received.
“It came as a devastating blow when we told at a meeting, called by the head of Augustinian Care, that the home would be closed.
“I felt the way they handled things was deplorable.
“They showed very little sympathy for the situation that we now face and we feel badly let down.
“It was ironic that the meeting was held in a chapel because there was nothing Christian about the way they handled it.”
A spokesman for Ker Maria Nursing Home said: “We have been looking into all the options for the long term future of Ker Maria.
“The home is becoming increasingly unsuitable to meet the needs of residents, especially those who require higher dependency care.
“We have undertaken a review of our facilities but recognise that we are unable to make the necessary changes to bring the home up to the most modern standards required.
“We are currently undertaking a consultation with staff at the home but it is very likely that we will have to close Ker Maria.
“In that event, we will work with relatives to make arrangements for the smooth transfer of residents into suitable alternative accommodation.
“At the same time we will be consulting with each member of staff and exploring ways of avoiding compulsory redundancy.”