by Gerry Warren
gwarren@thekmgroup.co.uk

The threat of closure hanging over two care homes in the area has prompted MP Julian Brazier to ask Kent County Council what contingency plans it has in place.

He is concerned about the future of the troubled Southern Cross group which owns 10 homes in Kent including the Highfield Care Home in Bekesbourne and the Kingsfield Care Home in Faversham which together have around 70 residents and nearly 80 staff.

The company is said to be having trouble paying the rent on its 750 homes nationwide but says the business is being restructured.

Mr Brazier has written to fellow Tory Cllr Graham Gibbens, KCC’s cabinet member for adult social care, expressing his deep concern.

He said: “I am extremely concerned that Southern Cross care homes are on the verge of financial collapse, potentially leaving hundreds of elderly and vulnerable people facing a very uncertain future.

“I am aware that the company is currently trying to stave off collapse by restructuring its finances but, should the worst happen, this would obviously place a huge burden on your department and budgets.

“Could let me know what contingency plans you are making and what will happen to the homes in east Kent – and their residents – in the event that Southern Cross’s restructuring exercise is unsuccessful?”

He added “I hope that Southern Cross will manage to put its affairs in order, so its residents will not face a very disruptive and upsetting change of circumstances.

“I am seeking assurance that KCC will be able to step into the breach should the company collapse entirely.”

Southern Cross Healthcare spokesman Julia Langsman said: “There are no plans for a large-scale closure of homes.

"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 and it is business as usual.”

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