Alzheimer’s Society seeks Southern Cross assurances

In an open letter Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive of Alzheimer's Society has called for reassurances on behalf of residents and calls for a new dementia strategy to be implemented.  The strategy launched just last week, aims to improve care across 750 Southern Cross homes. Approximately two thirds (62%) of all care home residents have dementia.

Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive, says;

'People with dementia must come first. Their vulnerability often means they are sidelined and this would be very worrying. We must make sure that any changes at Southern Cross are made in their best interests and that families are kept informed. 

'The new dementia strategy launched by Southern Cross last week must also be carried out. If successful it could mean better care for thousands of and money being spent more effectively. We are hoping to work with new owners to make sure this vision becomes a reality.'

The letter comes as an All Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia report found that care homes were not being supported to provide the best care to people with dementia at the best price. The report, 'The £20 billion question', found that training staff, sharing best practice and working with multi disciplinary liaison teams can prevent people from reaching expensive crisis care which is placing intolerable pressure on the care system.

The letter from Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive, Alzheimer's Society states: 

Dear Mr Buchan

Announcement of the closure of Southern Cross care homes

Following today's announcement that Southern Cross will cease operating as a care homes group I wanted to write to you setting out Alzheimer's Society concerns for the welfare of residents.

We were pleased to be with you last week to support the launch of the Southern Cross Dementia Strategy which set out your intentions to improve quality of care for the estimated 20,000 residents living with dementia in your care homes. I am also pleased that Southern Cross had committed to do work to reduce the use of antipsychotic drugs for people living with dementia and that Southern Cross has been a member of the Dementia Action Alliance.

I am sure you will share our view that the most vulnerable of Southern Cross' residents, people with dementia and their families must be reassured that the high standards set in the company's Dementia Strategy are carried forward by the new owners. Alzheimer's Society is committed to provide its expertise at local and national levels to assist in this.

I would like to meet urgently with you, Irene Gray and Deborah Sturdy to discuss how we can work together with the landlords to ensure that people with dementia and their families receive the reassurance and care that they need.

Yours sincerely,

Jeremy Hughes
Chief Executive
Alzheimer's Society