A north care home has been closed amid a police probe into allegations against members of staff.
NHS Highland said yesterday that staffing pressures and the ongoing investigation had led to the temporary closure of Beachview Lodge Respite Unit in Brora.
It is understood two employees at the home are facing charges over the way they handled residents at the unit.
The six-bed facility in Muirfield Drive provides short breaks for adults with learning disabilities to allow their carers time off.
The lodge’s three current residents will be transferred to Seaforth House, a privately operated respite care centre at Maryburgh in Ross-shire.
A total of 54 service users from across the Highlands are on the Brora home’s books and use the facility at various times throughout the year.
Local MSP Rob Gibson said: “NHS Highland has made an early intervention as soon as the situation had been brought to their attention.
“I would commend NHS Highland on their swift action and am reassured that they did not take this decision lightly.
“I look forward to a full resumption of services once this situation has been dealt with.”
Bob Silverwood, NHS Highland’s Caithness and Sutherland area manager, said: “The decision to suspend our service at the respite unit is not one we have taken lightly.
“We are of course keen to ensure that we can continue to offer respite care for those booked to use the unit, which is why we have taken a block booking at Seaforth House, a privately-operated respite care centre in Maryburgh.
“We would like to minimise any inconvenience to service users and their families, as well as our staff, and hope the situation at Beachview Lodge Respite Unit can be resolved as soon as possible.”
A police spokesman said: “We can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation into a report of concerns at a care home in the Brora area.
“Investigations, which are being carried out with partner agencies, are at a very early stage and no further information is available at this time.”
NHS Highland said the situation at the respite site did not affect the nearby Beachview Lodge Day Centre.
Relatives of people who use the respite home have been briefed on the situation.