14/12/05 - Care concerns for Suffolk

Concerns are growing that Suffolk could lose its entire stock of council-run care homes.

Suffolk County Council will meet this week to decide whether to launch a consultation into the future of care services in the county.

One of the four options considered is for the council to sell all of its 17 care homes. Alternatively, it may decide to explore options for leasing out the homes, to consider a range of care models or to leave the situation as it is.

In the face of mounting concerns and protests from pensioner groups, Jane Midwood, council portfolio holder for adult care, told the East Anglian Daily Times that talk of a mass sell-offer was "jumping the gun".

However, in 1998 the council did vote to close five homes, sell four and refurbish three.

Currently 16 per cent of care home places in Suffolk are offered in the council homes and the rest the council buys from private providers.

The over-65 population in Suffolk is expected to expand by 30 per cent over the next decade, which some groups argue underscores the need to retain the homes.

Source : Age Concern