Care home struggle

OLDHAM care homes are struggling to survive says Oldham Care Homes Association.

The group has accused Oldham Council of refusing to meet the true cost of care for each home.

The association says occupancy levels continue to be low because Oldham Council and the Government aim to keep more people in their own homes for as long as possible due to the current financial crisis.

Oldham Council provides extra money to allow care workers who visit people at their homes to be paid a living wage, but this doesn’t cover independent care homes.

The Oldham association says members fear smaller independent care homes will fail — leaving care workers unemployed and forcing residents to move homes.

Oldham councillor Jenny Harrison said: “Each year we must demonstrate the price we pay for care home places is of a sufficient standard – that includes the actual cost of care and market intelligence.

“We’re committed to working with care homes during the current financial year to help us better understand their market.”