News

Private care home owners have reacted angrily to reports that local authorities may be about to bail out struggling Church of Scotland homes.

Scottish Care, which represents more than 800 private care homes, called for "even-handedness" in any support offered to providers.

Joe Campbell, Scottish Care chief executive, said the 24,000 older people looked after in the homes run by Scottish Care members were in a more serious situation.

The row follows a long-running dispute over fees. New talks between Scottish Care, local authorities and the Scottish executive will begin on 23 May to work out the cost of care and devise a formula to meet it.