Social care bosses have pledged they will act swiftly and sensitively moving vulnerable residents from a Alford care home after a sheriff ordered them to close following concerns.

Muirhead Care Home, Alford, Lincolnshire, was ordered to close its doors at the end of August after care bosses called the police due to concerns over the residents’ welfare.

The Care Inspectorate took the emergency action about a fortnight ago after an inspection revealed residents had been tied to chairs with belts. Inspectors also found some residents weren’t given vital medication. 29 residents will now be moved to council-run or private accommodation.

Angie Wood, partnership manager for central Aberdeenshire, has been drafted in to manage the relocation and has insisted the move will be carried out in a sensitive manner.

Ms Wood said: “This is a very distressing time for residents and their families. I think people were aware of our investigation but the news on Friday would have potentially come as a shock to them.

“Quite a lot of work has happened in the past couple of day to start this process, we are aware that we have a three week deadline but we don’t want to approach this with urgency but we do have time pressures.”

It was reported by local media that some residents with complex needs may have to be placed in hospitals due to a lack of space in the region – Ms Wood insisted this would be temporary.

“Community hospitals would be looked at if that is the most appropriate option. We have the ability to use these flexibly, but it’s very much on an individual basis,” Ms Wood said.