Elderly and infirm residents face upheaval and upset as a nursing home in Kingswood prepares to close.
The relative of three residents, in their 80s and 90s, has spoken out against the shock decision to close Winscombe Nursing Home in Furze Hill.
Carol Miller, whose aunt and uncle joined another aunt, 94, at the home in December, said they only found out about the decision on Thursday, February 6.
Mrs Miller, from Salisbury Road, Worcester Park, said: "I am so angry and upset that everyone, staff and residents as well as their families, should now be facing this dilemma due to the obvious mismanagement of BUPA.
"Short notice of this earth-shattering meeting was given to staff and families alike and the announcement was conducted in the same abysmal manner.
"There are now 18 elderly and disabled folk who can no longer take comfort that their future will be happy or secure."
Her aunts and uncle, who used to live in Tolworth, are having to move along with the care home staff to another BUPA nursing home called Tadworth Grove in the Avenue, Tadworth.
But Mrs Miller said Tadworth Grove has been underachieving for years according to Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections.
She said: "Why should BUPA think that residents should jump at the chance of moving from a perfectly good home where they are happy and well-cared for to a home that is of a poorer standard?"
Home manager Joanne Eaton said residents, who occupy 18 of the 30 beds at the home, are being moved to Tadworth Grove over coming weeks.
She said: "The decision was made because the home has not been full for quite a long time. We’re all upset. People are more getting used to it now.
"We are able to accommodate all the residents and staff at Tadworth Grove."
She added: "They are looking to close by the end of March. It depends on how long it will take to get residents to the new home. Of course we do not want to rush them."
A statement provided by BUPA, said: "There are a number of care home places in the area and Winscombe Nursing Home has not been full for some time.
"The home is also in need of refurbishment which can be extremely disruptive for residents. We have the opportunity to transfer residents and staff, as a group, to another of our homes just two miles away - so they stay with familiar faces.
"It has been a difficult decision to close Winscombe but we think it’s the right thing to do for our residents and people. We will be providing support and help for everyone to make the move."
A BUPA spokeswoman said the home’s manager will take over running Tadworth Grove, which has been refurbished and has more modern facilities.
She said: “We invited residents and their relatives to a meeting to inform them of the home’s closure and provided an opportunity for them to ask questions and raise any concerns they might have.
“We wanted to reduce the time between the letter being sent and the meeting being held to lessen concern for those involved.”
She said they will help any residents wishing to live elsewhere.
Tadworth Grove in April 2011
Last year a CQC inspection report found that Tadworth Grove met standards for care and welfare and supporting workers but said: "There were not enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff to ensure people's individual needs were met."
Back in 2011 the CQC said Tadworth Grove had fallen far short of six essential standards people have the right to expect.
At the time BUPA said plans were immediately put in place to remedy the issues.
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