Campaigners warn Wirral Council plan to cut care home fees could force them out of business

Mar 18 2009 Birkenhead News

WIRRAL care home operators have launched a campaign to stop council cuts which they fear could force them out of business.

Wirral Council has consulted care home owners across the borough on a cut in fees of 5% – equivalent to between £18 and £22 per resident per week.

Campaigners say the move, to be discussed at a council meeting tomorrow (Thursday), is “morally abhorrent” and could lead to hundreds of elderly residents being evicted from care homes.

The council says under the current contract it would be required to pay an increase of 4.7% at a time when the retail price index is just 0.01%, and there is an over-supply of residential and nursing home places, with around 360 vacancies being available in Wirral at any time.

A spokesman for Adult Social Services said: “A comparison with neighbouring authorities across the North West has confirmed that Wirral pays more money for the same type of accommodation and care than other councils.”

Michael Vaughan of Red Rocks Nursing Home in Hoylake, said: “What they want to do is absolutely despicable – it’s morally abhorrent.

“If this goes ahead it will mean care homes get less money to provide a standard of care.

“Not everyone will be affected by the council’s library closures but nearly every single one of us will be responsible at some stage in our lives for selecting a care home for elderly or vulnerable people.”

New Brighton Councillor Tony Pritchard says many care home owners are already suffering with poor occupancy rates, and will struggle if the cuts go ahead.