A DEAF and blind pensioner has been forced to move away from his family and the area he has lived all his life owing to a shortage of care home places.

Angus Dodsworth, who will turn 92 next Friday, has had to move from Thirsk to a nursing home in Eston, Middlesbrough, after suffering a series of strokes.

His daughter-in-law, Gillian Dodsworth, said it was vital that she and her husband visited him most days, but their own ill-health meant they struggled with the 45-mile round trip from Northallerton.

Mr Dodsworth was born and grew up in Sowerby, leaving only briefly to complete his National Service.

He was admitted to the Friarage Hospital in December having suffered a serious stroke, and in January was put on the waiting list for Beechwood nursing home in Northallerton.

Despite being the only home in the town able to accept dementia patients, a shortage of spaces meant Mr Dodsworth had be transferred to the Briar Wood nursing home in Eston to receive the care he needs.

Daughter-in-law Mrs Dodsworth said the move had been a strain on Mr Dodsworth and the family.

"He has lived in this area all his life, where his family and friends are," she said. "He has been transferred to a place which is completely alien to him, which has been very disturbing.

"It's very important that we visit as often as possible to reassure him."

Mrs Dodsworth can only drive in emergencies, and her husband's heart problems mean the couple cannot make the necessary trip every day.

"Missing visits has a very negative effect on his well-being. The level of guilt is unbearable," she said. "The nursing home is lovely, and all the staff we have dealt with at the hospital and the homes have been marvellous, but there is clearly a desperate need for more places.

"For dad to be taken away from a place where he has grown up and knows everyone is just awful at his age. Senior citizens deserve better than this."

Phil Richardson, general manager for community care for Hambleton and Richmondshire social services, said situations such as this were very regrettable.

He said: "There is now a greater demand for care because of an ageing population. Sometimes the demand does outstrip supply and occasionally people do have to go elsewhere."

He said the provision of nursing homes was responsibility of the independent sector, rather than the local authority or the NHS, but social services worked closely with providers to encourage them to meet needs. He said there were hopes to expand Beechwood in the future.

Mr Richardson said: "This is a very difficult situation for the family, but fortunately care levels are not at crisis point. We don't have long lists or great problems with people waiting for spaces, but that does not mean it is not very unfortunate for the few individuals who are affected.

"We strongly encourage the independent sector to meet the demands, but they are the ones who have to justify it in market terms, and apply for planning permission to build or extend."

Mr Richardson advised families in this situation to ensure patients were on the waiting list for the home of their choice. Mr Richardson said privately-funded patients could be put on waiting lists for a number of different homes, which may be closer to their choice.

For a full list of care homes in the area, or other advice, contact the social services customer relations unit on 01609 779999.