TORBAY is facing a 'potential crisis' in the care of its elderly population with health bosses accused of overseeing the destruction of private care homes.

About a quarter of the Bay's 100 or so care homes and services could close in the near future, say campaigners.

The Torbay Forum for Quality Care, which represents the interests of private nursing and residential home owners, blames a 'sea-change' in national and local policy.

It says Torbay Care Trust is so keen to promote 'care in the community' that homes will not be able to attract enough residents to survive.

Graham Greenaway, spokesman for the forum, said: "There is a wall of fear in the care home industry at the moment.

"The care trust wish to promote care in the community because they think it is cheaper."

The forum has called for a public debate about the issue.

Mr Greenaway says: "The first issue is whether the elderly population will in future be cared for in the appropriate manner.

"The second is that the industry is the second largest employer in the Bay and jobs will be lost.

"People need to understand that when these care homes close they will close for good.

"Nobody is sure of the consequences but I certainly think 25 per cent of homes are under threat.

"It is potentially a crisis."

There are 2,100 care beds in Torbay divided between different homes of various sizes.

The forum claims to represent 75 per cent of the beds. The industry employs about 2,500 people.

The Government wants more people to be cared for at home so they can live independently in later life.

The care trust assesses each person on their physical and financial needs before making a decision on where they should go.

Mr Greenaway said: "The trust does a very good job with most things and they don't have much choice with this because it is a government policy.

"But at the moment there is no policy dealing with what happens when the homes close."

Clare Hunter, a member of the forum and owner of two homes in Torquay, said: "We want to be part of a community that looks after its older and vulnerable people.

"The question is what provision is there going to be for elderly people in Torbay in the future?"

A spokesman for Torbay Care Trust said high-quality care homes would remain an 'essential part of the local social care market'.

He added: "The care trust is committed to providing local people, including the older population, with real choice as to how, where and when they receive health and social care.

"This means increasing the range of available services, alongside those provided by residential care homes."

Robin Causley, director at Age Concern Torbay, said: "There is no doubt care homes have a place in the system. Equally there are many people who want the chance to stay in their homes.

"I think we have already seen some care homes closing and undoubtedly we will see more struggling."