Privately-run homes across Southend, which take on council-funded residents with urinary incontinence and other conditions, could be hit by planned budget cuts, it has been revealed.
Southend Council is looking to implement widespread cuts in a bid to plug a £15.5 million deficit in its budget and authorities are considering a reduction in the payments allocated for residents, reports the Echo.
Each care home user could see five per cent of their share hived off, but operators have expressed concern that the move will have an impact on the level of service provided.
Care home owner Barry Gelfand told the publication that the move could also result in closures because it would “cost thousands of pounds” to keep operating his premises.
“It would affect the sustainability of the business. Our other costs – minimum wage, National Insurance, food and VAT – are all going up. There are only so many cuts we can make ourselves,” he said.
Meanwhile, £50 million worth of cuts, which will lead to the closure of five care homes in Wirral, were recently approved.
Privately-run homes across Southend, which take on council-funded residents with urinary incontinence and other conditions, could be hit by planned budget cuts, it has been revealed.
Southend Council is looking to implement widespread cuts in a bid to plug a £15.5 million deficit in its budget and authorities are considering a reduction in the payments allocated for residents, reports the Echo.
Each care home user could see five per cent of their share hived off, but operators have expressed concern that the move will have an impact on the level of service provided.
Care home owner Barry Gelfand told the publication that the move could also result in closures because it would “cost thousands of pounds” to keep operating his premises.
“It would affect the sustainability of the business. Our other costs – minimum wage, National Insurance, food and VAT – are all going up. There are only so many cuts we can make ourselves,” he said.
Meanwhile, £50 million worth of cuts, which will lead to the closure of five care homes in Wirral, were recently approved.