A spokesperson said: “We fully understand and empathise with the concerns raised by unpaid carers around changes to eligibility for social care services. “We have been open and honest around the scale of the financial challenges the partnership is facing, caused by rapidly rising demand for services and continually increasing costs of providing care. “The financial pressures were directly affecting our ability to safely and sustainably deliver social care. "This was impacting on vulnerable residents in North Ayrshire, with a significant number of residents on waiting lists for services and increases with regards to delayed discharges from hospital, both of which would deteriorate further should the criteria have remained unchanged. “Support for unpaid carers is available from Carers Gateway North Ayrshire, and we would urge any unpaid carers to register with them by calling 01294 311333 or emailing northayrshire.carers@unity-enterprise.com."