NOW COUNTY CARE HOMES ARE UP FOR GRABS

10.20.39am GMT Wed 3rd Mar 2010

North Devon MP, Nick Harvey, has slammed Devon County Council's decision to sell off Devon's care homes individually as a "panic measure and very short-sighted," claiming the lack of accountability could put the welfare of our most vulnerable residents at risk, as well as putting the future of many of the homes at severe risk.

It was announced in January that the Tory-run County Council would press ahead with plans to privatise its residential care following the collapsed sale of the homes to the Shaw Trust last year.

The move is another blow following their decision last year to cut the number of care staff by up to 200: effectively doubling the number of residents for each carer from 3 to 6.

This privatisation would allow companies to bid for just one or for several of the authority's 24 Council-run care homes. It means that the responsibility for running the homes could be carved up amongst numerous different companies.

In North Devon this announcement will affect the futures of Beech House in South Molton, Lydiate Lodge in Lynton, Oakwell in Bickington and Burrow House in Ilfracombe.

Lib Dem Councillor Suzette Hibbert, whose ward includes Lydiate Lodge commented: "There is now no guarantee for the future of Lydiate Lodge and the staff are already having to reapply for their jobs. This is a great shame as I know how much the residents appreciate the care they receive from staff there and how much the staff are respected for their work."