A WAR veteran from Walkerburn is the latest Peebles pensioner who can’t come home for Christmas due to a lack of carers.

Last week’s Peeblesshire News highlighted the case of recently-widowed grandmother Nan Thomson, who is stuck in hospital until Scottish Borders Council can arrange a care package for her in West Linton.

Growing demand for home care is blamed on the 79-year-old not being able to return home.

And it is a similar story for 92-year-old Robert Beatson.

The retired mechanic’s family bought him an adapted flat in his home village of Walkerburn for him to see out his final years.

But Scottish Borders Council have been unable to fulfil the requirements of his home care package.

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

His son, Colin, told the Peeblesshire News: “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 across Peeblesshire.

Prior to being moved to Galashiels all the local authority could offer the former serviceman 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.” The local authority’s social work department told us that they are actively trying to arrange for Mr Beatson to return to Walkerbrun.

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.”