AS many as 28 elderly residents face being moved from their homes and 35 staff could lose their jobs with the planned closure of a nursing home.
Bell Gray House in Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone facing closure after Apex Housing announced two weeks ago it was "impossible to continue to operate" the facility.
The closure will see residents moved to Parkview facility, over 12 miles away in Castlederg.
In a letter sent to residents, Apex said it had recently commissioned a technical report to assess the cost of bringing the home up to necessary standard.
It claimed the outcome of that suggested closure was the best option.
As well as poor condition of the Bell Gray premises and the cost of restoration, the housing association has cited long-term difficulties with the recruitment and retention of staff.
"Having considered all of the relevant factors, our intention is that over the next two years on a phased basis the services offered from the Bell Gray scheme will be reduced and the nursing care provision provided at Parkview will be increased," Apex Housing confirmed.
The home has 28 residents, all of whom are over the age of 70.
The news has provoked outrage within the community and a campaign against the closure has begun, with a petition in local shops already attracting more than 1,000 signatures.
Sinn Fein West Tyrone assembly candidate Grace McDermott urged the people of Newtownstewart to get behind the campaign.
"I met with the staff and have spoken to residents and their families who are affected by this announcement," she said.
"They are completely heartbroken. One resident has been in the home from 1995, for him and the others it is devastating."
Derry City and Strabane Council Health committee were due to meet with Apex representatives yesterday afternoon about the closure.
Speaking on behalf of residents, their families, workers and the wider community Unison's Niall McCarroll urged everyone to sign the petition which has been left at shops in the town and Bell Gray House itself.
"We will continue to stand with those directly affected by this unacceptable news of the proposed closure of Bell Gray House," he said.
