Fears grow for residents of Walberton care home

THE future of a Walberton care home remains uncertain after its parent company announced a major financial reshuffle.

Walberton Place Care Home, in Yapton Lane, is one of dozens of homes across the country at risk because of the financial hardships of its parent company, Southern Cross.

The union representing many of Southern Cross’ staff has warned that the company’s 31,000 residents could be made homeless if the company collapsed, and West Sussex County Council has made contingency plans in case the situation worsens.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Last week, Southern Cross announced it would not be able to meet an increase in rents payable to its landlords, having sold its homes off a few years ago in a move which has now led the company to the brink of financial collapse. It intended to underpay its rent by 30 per cent over the next four months.

However, there is now mounting concern among the GMB, the union for many Southern Cross staff including some at Walberton, about the national fall in the company’s occupancy rates, which have slumped from 91 per cent two years ago to 83 per cent.

The union expressed fears that the 34 residents at Walberton Place, and seven other homes across Sussex, could face the prospect of becoming homeless.

Paul Maloney, GMB organiser said: “The eight Sussex care homes, run by Southern Cross, are not factories that are failing from lack of demand, but are an essential part of the community which now face financial ruin due to the combination of privatisation and private equity.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But Southern Cross rebuffed his claims, saying: “Southern Cross Healthcare would like to confirm that it has no plans for a large-scale closure of homes, as some media continue to claim.

“The company is in the early stages of its financial restructuring which it intends to complete at the end of the summer.

“All stakeholders involved in the process agree that the priority is, and remains, the continuity of care. We remain committed to providing high-quality care to all of our 31,000 residents in our homes and it remains business as usual.”

A West Sussex County Council spokesman said: “West Sussex County Council has drawn up contingency plans as a result of the difficult financial situation of Southern Cross Healthcare, which has five care homes in West Sussex.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The county council will ensure that the care of all residents in West Sussex homes is unaffected as far as possible. We are working with Southern Cross Healthcare, the Care Quality Commission and the NHS to ensure that the care and well-being of residents, should changes be necessary, is protected.”