AN ACTION group has been set up to fight a decision to withdraw nursing care at two Anchor care homes in Bradford, leaving 58 elderly residents needing to find somewhere else to live.

Springfield in Buttershaw and Ashcroft in Undercliffe will offer residential care only in the coming months – rather than the nursing care required by more vulnerable residents.

Townend Close in Keighley, as well as five additional Anchor homes in the wider district, at Hipperholme, Guiseley, Otley and Skipton, will not be affected, as they do not provide nursing care.

Now, relatives of the 42 people affected at Springfield have banded together to create The 42 Springfield Action Group following a meeting to discuss their options.

Peter Ridsdale, whose mother 82-year-old Frieda Ridsdale, faces having to move out of Springfield, told the Telegraph & Argus that Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe attended the meeting and offered his support.

In addition representatives of Bradford Council's adult and community services department also attended.

Mr Ridsdale said: "We hope to get Anchor to have a change of heart about their decision and if not a compromise - such as letting nature take its course.

"Some people have already found other places for their relative, but others, like me, don't want to start looking just yet because it's as if we have given up."

He added that many were concerned there wouldn't been enough nursing care beds in the immediate area.

A panel of five relatives will now represent the action group and will be seeking a meeting with Anchor.

A paper petition as well as an online petition have begun. The online petition is available on charge.org and can be found by searching for Anchor Housing.

Philip Birkinshaw, regional operations director for Ashcroft and Springfield, said: “We have arranged to meet with customer representatives to discuss the issues raised at their meeting.

"As we’ve said previously, we would like to reassure residents and their families that all residents needs will be assessed on a case by case basis to ensure we can best meet their needs.

"We will work closely with each individual resident, their families, the local authority and the NHS, to agree the best outcome for each person.”

Bradford Council has previously confirmed it is also working with the residents affected to ensure they can find another care home with nursing care to meet their needs.