Commenting on the announcement today (Thursday) that the proposed sale of care home provider Four Seasons has fallen through, UNISON assistant general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“The government is failing to fund social care properly. The absence of a proper strategy for the sector means the lives of thousands of vulnerable patients and staff are at the mercy of private companies motivated by profit, rather than providing quality care.
“The Prime Minister promised he’d fix the broken care system but all his attention has been on Brexit. This complete inertia has left the country’s second largest residential care provider in administration for months. Today’s failure to secure a buyer leaves residents and staff fearful for their futures.
“Without ministerial action and substantial investment, care homes will continue to be prey to private equity firms and hedge funds, which excel at extracting profit from those in need.
“The welfare of the vulnerable, the elderly and the workforce must be protected with more public sector provision of care, especially as the situation would get much worse with the economic chaos of a no-deal Brexit.”
Notes to editors
– UNISON is the biggest union representing health workers. It is also the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in both the public and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes T: 020 7121 5255 M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7121 5463 M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk