Council reassures Southern Cross residents

Residents reassured of contingency measures at three Southern Cross managed care homes

WEST Berkshire Council will step in to take care of the residents it aids at the three old people's homes in the district ran by troubled healthcare provider Southern Cross should the firm go bust.

At a meeting of West Berkshire Council's executive on Thursday, the portfolio holder for community care, Joe Mooney (Con, Birch Copse), answered Liberal Democrat care spokesman Julian Swift-Hook's (Greenham) question over the number of residents in the homes currently receiving a service from the council.

Mr Mooney said West Berkshire Council provided a service for 25 residents at Hungerford Care Home in Wantage Road, Hungerford Newtown, 22 residents at River View in Rodway Road, Tilehurst, and 20 at The Hollies in Reading Road, Burghfield Common.

He responded to Mr Swift-Hook's supplementary question by promising action should the council need to help out.

“I give every assurance to the families that have members of their families in these homes that we have contingency plans in the event these homes could close,” he said.

Crisis talks between Southern Cross, the UK's largest care home operator, its landlords and Government officials have been ongoing for over a fortnight to discuss which of the 751 homes it runs across the country are to be shut down as part of measures to save the company.

It has already announced it is to axe 3000 jobs to help stave off financial collapse after posting losses of £311 million.

The firm has declined to comment on whether Hungerford Care Home, River View Care Centrebor The Hollies are among those at risk on the “Limited Life” register, when questioned by the Newbury Weekly News.

Many of the residents at the homes are independently funded, or funded by other councils.

West Berkshire Council would not be responsible for assisting these people should the care homes close.