County council blasted by care home providers

SOCIAL care providers in Northumberland have warned care homes are being sold “as a fire sale” and demanded a meeting with the leader of the council due to concerns over funding.

- JAMES ROBINSON Local Democracy Reporter

Care North East (CNE), which represents a number of care homes across the region, say providers have claimed that the level of support provided by Northumberland County Council makes it “impossible to provide services at the highest level”. The group has demanded a meeting with leader Coun Glen Sanderson to discuss issues.

The county council has asserted it is “confident” it can meet the needs of vulnerable residents. It was also pointed out that the local authority has regularly engaged with CNE when fee levels have been reviewed.

Despite the complaints, Northumberland's adult social care provision has been rated as “good” by the Care Quality Commission. An inspection, published in January, found that, overall, residents had a good experience of adult social care in the county.

The council has also brought in increased wages for staff, which has seen the number of people assessed as needing home care but could not have it arranged immediately, fall from 209 at the start of April 2023 to 40 by April 22, 2024.