Don’t force vulnerable people out of their care home, says UNISON

Norfolk County Council must stop squeezing social care finances so that vulnerable elderly people aren’t forced out of their care home, UNISON says today.

Norse Care, an arm’s-length company owned by the Council, has opened a consultation into the potential closure of Burman House near Wisbech in north west Norfolk.

UNISON understands that the home, consistently rated good by the Care Quality Commission, is at risk of closing as a result of the County Council’s budget cuts. This is despite councillors already having stripped millions from the budget in recent years.

If the proposal goes ahead, 27 residents may soon lose their homes and 30 carers will either find themselves unemployed or be transferred to other jobs, says UNISON.

UNISON Norfolk county branch secretary Jonathan Dunning said: “The closure of Burman House would be a tragedy for the residents, who would be forced out of their home, cast off into a world of uncertainty while Norse Care or the Council find them somewhere else to live.

“It’s unacceptable for Norfolk County Council to wash their hands of this decision, claiming that all operational matters are down to Norse Care.

“Staff and residents are against the proposal as it makes no sense to close a good home. We urge Norfolk County Councils to re-examine its priorities and make sure Norse Care has enough cash to keep all its homes open.”

 

To keep up to date with the campaign visit our Norfolk County branch.

You can respond to the consultation here and sign UNISON’s petition here.