MP wants action over struggling care homes

WARRINGTON North MP Helen Jones has called for urgent action from the Government to safeguard vulnerable people living in homes run by the struggling Southern Cross care homes.
The company is in a “critical financial situation” and has announced 3,000 job cuts, the MP says.
It has three homes in Warrington employing more than 200 people.
Ms Jones (pictured) said: : “Southern Cross is in crisis and has recently announced 3,000 job losses.
“Vulnerable residents and their families deserve to know what the Government plans to do to ensure that they are protected if the company goes under.
“The Government has been very slow to realise the seriousness of this situation and the uncertainty that has been created due to the lack of action from the Government has been disgraceful. I urge them to act quickly and announce what support they will provide.”
Southern Cross – which runs homes at Winwick, Callands and Latchford – recently reported half year losses of £311 million and has warned that they are in a “critical financial situation”.
The three Warrington homes have a total of 214 beds and employ 215 staff.
Ms Jones added: “If Southern Cross collapses the local authority is obliged to find alternative places for residents whose care is publicly funded. This could be as many as 136 residents. I have met with the council to discuss their plans should this happen and stressed the need to be prepared for any eventuality.”
Southern Cross is the UK’s largest private care provider with around 31,000 residents, 44,000 members of staff and 750 homes.
In April, Southern Cross claimed it was in talks with landlords to try and get reductions in what they described as “unsustainable” rent levels.
Since then, some rent reductions have been agreed by some landlords.