THE region’s only dementia unit has been saved from closure.

And the planned sale of Craw Wood will also rescue up to 30 jobs.

It still expected that the specialist service will be transferred to three smaller units, spread across the Borders, by early next year.

But the buildings in Tweedbank will continue to be used by the new owner, Mansfield Care, as an old folks’ home.

The Border Telegraph revealed in April that controversial Craw Wood, which opened in 1996, had been earmarked for closure.

Family members of the then 17 residents as well as stunned staff were alerted to the decision by owners, Eildon.

Throughout 2012 the Tweedbank home was hit with damning reports by the Care Inspectorate. In the October of that year it was served with an immediate improvement notice or face closure.

Police were also called in due to allegations of abuse.

And a staff member was sacked and others suspended during the probe.

Worse was to follow for the 25-bed home as Scottish Borders Council announced a redesign of its dementia services - creating three smaller units across the region as an alternative to the central unit at Tweedbank.

Despite the problems, management and staff at the home turned the situation around last year and have enjoyed positive reports.

Last week Eildon announced to relatives of residents as well as its staff that the sale of the service, as a going concern, was imminent.

The sale secures the service for the 13 residents and 30 full- and part-time staff currently at Craw Wood.

Nile Istephan, Chief Executive of the Eildon Group, told the Border Telegraph: “We are pleased to announce the proposed sale of Craw Wood to the reputable care provider, Mansfield Care.

“The sale of Craw Wood is the best possible outcome as it maintains the service for the current residents and the jobs of the staff.

“We anticipate that we can conclude the sale and hope to be able to transfer the service within the next six months.

“In the meantime, Eildon will continue to provide its high standards of care at the service.” Mansfield Care already operates care homes in Galashiels, Melrose and Peebles as well as Ayrshire and Edinburgh.

We were unable to contact Mansfield Care before going to press for exact details of their plans for the home.

But it is anticipated that it will fit into their growing portfolio of general care homes.

Scottish Borders Council’s social work department announced its redesign of dementia services at a meeting almost 18 months ago.

To replace the 24-bed specialist facility in Tweedbank bosses proposed to hand out contracts for three smaller eight-bed units spread across the region.

Director at the time, Andrew Lowe, stressed to the Border Telegraph that the changes were not a reaction to Craw Wood’s troubles.

But the move did spark anger and uncertainty amongst the relatives of dementia sufferers who were being cared for at Tweedbank.

And that uncertainty has continued well into this year.

A social work spokesman revealed that a commissioning plan for the three new eight-bed units, which should have been completed last month, had been delayed.

The spokesperson told us: “The council has been made aware of the proposed sale of the home and will continue to work with the registered provider to ensure quality services are provided to all residents during any period of transition.

“This will not have an impact on the commissioning plan in regard to specialist dementia beds.

“This plan has been delayed due to the detail required, in order to ensure we have a specification that is fit for purpose. However this is progressing well.”