DR ROS ALTMANN
DIRECTOR-GENERAL, SAGA
PRESS RELEASE
June 15, 2011.
SOUTHERN CROSS TALKS: THEY’RE OVERLOOKING THE KEY ISSUE – WELLBEING AND CERTAINTY FOR CARE HOME RESIDENTS.
Commenting on the Southern Cross care homes crisis, Dr Ros Altmann, Director-General of Saga, the over-50s organisation, said:
“There are lots of discussions today about Southern Cross, but the vast majority of talk is about money-related issues – but they’re missing the most important point: the primary issues are the wellbeing of the residents, their families - and workers, who are also crucial to the wellbeing process.
“Giving false reassurances to families and key workers is unacceptable; nobody in the process or operation – from end to end - has any clarity or certainty. It is an utterly unsustainable position.
“Giving false reassurances to families and key workers is unacceptable; nobody in the process or operation – from end to end - has any clarity or certainty. It is an utterly unsustainable position.
"These are people, not boxes in a warehouse; they and their families are having more pressure and concern heaped upon them at a time when the care environment as a whole is in alarming disarray.
"We’ve heard about rents and tax bills, but there's simply no clarity, certainty or reassurances on the issue of just how safe and secure Southern Cross care home residents are, consequently causing deep concern amongst their families.
"But another key issue that seems not to have been addressed is the point that staff too are facing uncertainty - what happens if Southern Cross staff decide enough is enough, and start to look for work elsewhere? We should all be concerned about what hardships might arise for the incredibly vulnerable residents of Southern Cross homes if staff do start to move on.”
Ends
Further information:
07545 504513
Twitter @SagaRosAltmann
Twitter @SagaRosAltmann
Iain Macauley
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