A WAR veteran from Walkerburn can’t come home Christmas because the authorities are unable to provide him with a carer.

Robert Beatson’s family bought him an adapted flat in his home village to see out his final years.

But Scottish Borders Council have been unable to fulfil the requirements of the 92-year-old’s home care package.

And in July, when a privately-employed carer moved to another job, Mr Beatson was moved to a nursing home in Galashiels.

His son, Colin, told the Border Telegraph: “We thought the move to Galashiels in July would be for a few weeks as the council said they would try to find a carer.

“The latest letter I got from them said he’d be home in November - that’s not happened and now I’m just getting silence.

“I’ve been to MPs, MSPs and a local councillor but I’m getting nowhere.

“My father is now sitting in a care home while his own adapted house, where he wants to be, sits empty.” Mr Beatson’s situation isn’t unique as Scottish Borders Council struggles to cope with the increasing demand for home carers.

Prior to being moved to Galashiels all the local authority could offer the former serviceman and mechanic was two 15-minute visits per day.

Son Colin added: “We employed a private carer to provide the care package my father needed but they moved on to full-time work elsewhere in the summer. We are trying to find another carer ourselves but it isn’t easy.

“My father was enjoying his new home in Walkerburn - overlooking the farm where he grew up - but unless the council starts providing the care package they are supposed to it’s unlikely he’ll be coming back home any time soon.” A recently-widowed grandmother from West Linton also faces Christmas away from home due to the council’s carer shortages.

Nan Thomson remains an in-patient at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary - even though she is well enough to return to her house in the village Doctors are refusing to allow her release until a suitable care package is in place.

Mrs Thomson, 79, was detained in hospital after breaking her shoulder in a fall last month.

Daughter-in-law Yvonne Thomson said: “This really is a sad state of affairs. “My mother-in-law is really low at the moment and all she wants is to be able to come home. I am really frightened to tell her that the way things are going she will still be in there at Christmas.” Mrs Thomson was left devastated in October when her husband Joe, 84, died suddenly just six months before their diamond wedding anniversary.

He had acted as her carer as she suffered from numerous problems, including osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and narrowing of the spine.

Immediately after her husband’s death Mrs Thomson was looked after by her son Kevin and Yvonne at their home in Gorebridge before returning after a short time to her own home.

In West Linton she received visits from district nurses before an emergency care package was put in place.

Discussions were continuing on what care she would need in the future when she broke her shoulder in a fall on an outing to the Gyle shopping centre in Edinburgh on November 5.

Yvonne added: “I am repeatedly being told that there is no council homecare available in her area and that I will have to find someone myself.

“The council have told me that it’s always been a problem to find carers for West Linton because there’s a lot of travel time involved for them.

“Private carers are much more expensive but the council gives you something towards the cost and you have to pay the difference.

“This is all very well, but if the council cannot find carers how am I supposed to find one? They have recommended private companies to me but I would prefer a council carer as they are good and have been properly trained.

“Due to the situation and the need for carers in the area I asked if the council had advertised for carers but got no answer to the question. I have checked the jobs advertised in the Borders and have found no adverts for positions in the last month.” Scottish Borders Council admitted they were struggling to meet demand in both Walkerburn and West Linton. A spokesperson said: “There is exceptional demand for home care at present in the Walkerburn area. Whilst Mr Beatson is currently being supported safely in a care setting we are continuing to explore all options to provide an appropriate care package for Mr Beatson at home.

“While there has been no decrease in the number of council carers, there is an increasing demand for services in the West Linton area.

“We can’t comment in any detail about individual cases but our social work service prioritises discharges from hospital.

“We are in contact with Mrs Thomson’s family to keep them fully updated and discuss her circumstances further.”