Brian Cooney, Director of Canford Healthcare Group, a Nursing Home provider in the South East, makes a good comment on the latest nursing home crisis: “The over engineered financial structure of Southern Cross, with properties owned by groups of landlords with ever increasing lease (rent) costs, is what has caused its difficulty. The reality of the financial crunch and a slowdown in placements from local authorities highlights the increasing need for care homes to refocus and to continue to concentrate on quality of service and care.

Quality of care is what will bring good Nursing Home groups through the difficult patch. Providing good care means encouraging both staff and residents to get involved in activities and events, supporting people to lead fulfilled and stimulated lives. This leads to happier residents and more satisfied employees. From experience in Sussex and Kent, investing in at least two Activity Co-ordinators in every home with a program of regular activities means that staff are enjoyably engaged with residents – which strengthens bonds between Carers and recipients.”