Suffolk County Council has taken the decision to no longer be a provider of care homes for the elderly in Suffolk. As a result they intend to either sell off or close the 16 care homes they currently own and run - despite many of those being considered as some of the highest quality care homes in the area.
Instead, Suffolk County Council proposes to 'buy' care home beds from the private sector.
Care home beds in the private sector can range from £600 to £1200 per week. Suffolk County Council will only fund around £500 of this for those not able to fund the costs themselves.
The likely impact is obvious - either council funded residents will receive a second class bed, room and level of care or they (or their families) will have to fund the shortfall.
It is our opinion that Suffolk County Council have not considered all other means of saving money or generating revenue to subsidise the 16 care homes they currently have.
Once these 16 care homes are sold or closed, Suffolk County Council is never likely to have the capital to buy the land and build these kinds of purpose built homes in the future.
For all the people of Suffolk who may need a care home funded by the council in the future - this is a monumental decision for Suffolk County Council to take on their behalf.
Our aim is that we force Suffolk County Council to re-consider and reverse this decision to safeguard the future of the elderly in Suffolk.