Wayne David, the Labour MP for Caerphilly, has expressed “serious concern” about the announcement that care home firm Southern Cross will be broken up.
Mr David has said he is urging Caerphilly County Borough Council to be prepared and take whatever action is necessary to safeguard the interests of residents living in the company’s eight care homes in the county borough.
He said: “Understandably many people in Southern Cross residential care homes are concerned about their future. I have previously written to Caerphilly Council asking that they consider putting in place contingency measures.
“I very much hope that the council has indeed drawn up such plans and is making contact with Southern Cross to ensure that the well being of residents does not in any way suffer.
“It is now very important that central government, the Welsh Government and the local authority work together to safeguard the interests of all Southern Cross’ residents.”
Southern Cross owns the following: Abermill in Abertridwr, Bargoed, Church View in Caerphilly town, Parklands in Bedwas, Trafalgar Park in Nelson, Valley View in Cefn Hengoed, Mill View House in Newbridge, and White Rose in New Tredegar.
A spokeswoman for Caerphilly County Borough Council said: “We are committed to ensuring that quality of care and continuity is maintained for these residents. In seeking to achieve this smooth transition, we have been working together with the Association of Directors for Social Services, the Welsh Local Government Association and the Welsh Government Minister and her staff to achieve a positive outcome.
“We of course have put in place with our colleagues in the Aneurin Bevan Health Board a contingency plan several months ago when this situation first arose, as we recognised our responsibility of duty of care to each and every person in need of residential care in our county borough. Prioritising the protection of vulnerable people has always been at the forefront of our discussions regarding this matter in Caerphilly county borough, as it is across the UK.”
Meanwhile, South Wales East AM Lindsay Whittle has called for the Assembly to Assembly to be recalled if the situation deteriorates.
Mr Whittle, who is Plaid Cymru’s Social Services spokesman, said: “This is a matter for the Welsh Government and they do have a duty of care for the people affected by this decision.I believe it is essential that the government ensures that every elderly and vulnerable resident at a Southern Cross care home in Wales is given the peace of mind and reassurance that they will be supported.
“A civilised society is judged by how we care for the elderly and vulnerable. The Southern Cross situation has caused a great deal of concern for residents and their families. I have urged the Minister to examine recalling the Assembly if the situation worsens during the Summer recess. It is vital that this issue does not get neglected and that Welsh Ministers are directly involved.”
Wayne David and Lindsay Whittle are absolutely right in sounding the alarm over this potential catastrophe for residents of Southern Cross homes and their families.
I would also like to highlight the fact that there is no nursing care home available in the town of Carffili, or so I am informed by social services. The closest facility to the town is at Bedwas. Who owns it? Southern Cross. If we lose this amenity the elderly and infirm of Caerffili will have no option but move even further away from the town where they lived in happier times.
This is a disgraceful situation that has arisen over a period of many years. Caerffili is a town with no 24 hour police station, no nursing care home and shortly to be also without a hospital. Time to wake up and stop the rot, for the sake of our children and grand children.