Southern Cross Care Homes in Wiltshire

Wiltshire has two Southern Cross Care homes - Ravenscroft in Trowbridge and Merlin Court in Marlborough.

WC reports that the regional manager has confirmed that no Southern Cross care homes will be closed until the restructuring programme has been completed in October.

Nationally the care homes at greatest risk are those with low occupancy, and those that had a higher proportion of council-funded beds - these beds tend to be less profitable than self-funded beds.

The Southern Cross care homes in Wiltshire have a high level of occupancy, 90% plus, and have low percentages of beds purchased by local government across the South West - 40% maximum. Consequently the regional manager did not expect any of the Southern Cross care homes in or near Wiltshire to be at risk of closure in any restructuring of the group. However as the Wiltshire homes are generally financially sound they may be attractive to be part of the Southern Cross proposal to 'sell off' some of their homes as part of the restructuring programme.

WC and NHS Wiltshire will develop a contingency plan if, for any reason, a Southern Cross care home in an area adjacent to Wiltshire should be on the closure list - due in October 2011.

The biggest concern at present for Southern Cross at local and regional level is the media hype on the financial sustainability of the organisation. This is clearly causing significant concern for residents and their families. Southern Cross are, at a local and regional level, working with the media and residents & families to allay fears. Southern Cross has been assured that WC will work with them to support residents and families, and deal with any correspondence from worried residents or families in a positive and supportive manner.