Care homes threaten action over fees

A group of private care home associations representing more than
70,000 beds in the north of England and the Midlands has warned the
Prime Minister that it is prepared to take action over poor fee
levels.

In a letter to Tony Blair, the Coalition for Care explains that
from April the organisation will be advising its members to accept
only residents paying fees “commensurate with the amount of
care given”. These are likely to be in the region of
£459 per week for nursing care and £353 for residential
care.

Chairperson Frank Hessey predicted “a devastating effect
on the availability of elderly care beds” should his members
choose to follow the guidance.

The Prime Minister is urged to act now “rather than wait
for good homes to close in the north and midlands” and for
the situation to deteriorate into a crisis similar to that in the
south of England.

Meanwhile, Durham Council has ended a long-running dispute with
private care home providers by agreeing to increase fees, starting
with an additional £10 per resident per week to nursing and
residential homeowners.

The deal includes an agreement to work towards a guaranteed
£400 a week for nursing care and £320 for residential
care from April 2004.