CARE PROVIDERS across Northumberland are hitting out after claiming that the council leader has refused all attempts to meet with them.
Local, regional and national operators who run care homes across the county have repeatedly asked Cllr Glen Sanderson to hear their complaints and concerns.
But they say that they are constantly referred back to council officers – some of whom have been the subject of numerous complaints.
Care North East, which represents many care homes across the region, has stepped in to support the care homes and to act as an intermediary between them and the council.
Despite frequent correspondence via email to the leader, all requests for a face-to- face meeting have been refused and providers are asked to revert to relevant officers.
And this is despite a number of official complaints made against some council officials – many of which go back years and have never been resolved.
“This situation has been going on for a number of years and providers are very concerned that the council does not engage in any meaningful way,” said Keith Gray of CNEN.
“Because of this – and the official complaints made about the conduct of some of the council’s officers – care home operators have asked to meet with the Leader to express their concerns, but he simply refuses to do so.”
Mr Gray and many of the operators feel it is not appropriate that all of their concerns are referred to officers who are the subject of complaints – which the council has also not addressed.
They claim that providers “are being set up to fail” and that “care homes are having to be sold as a fire sale.”
One care home owner, who did not want to be named, is frustrated by the Leader’s response.
“The officers simply don’t listen,” he said.
“The contracts are set up to the detriment of care home users and operators. We feel we have nowhere to go.”
Providers claim that the level of financial support from Northumberland County Council – which differs from other parts of the region – means it is impossible to provide services at the highest level.
“There is a feeling that decisions are being made by officers without discussion or negotiations and because of this, we have appealed to the Leader to hear at first hand about the situation – but he simply refuses to meet.”
Concerns have also been raised about the council’s contract terms such as changes in the law – for example the rise in National Insurance contributions – which Northumberland County Council refuses to fully fund unless providers lower the wage rates of its workers.
“Our main concern is the suffering of service users who are not able to obtain high class quality services through unfair contractual terms,” said Keith.
“We feel that contracts are being set up which decimate the quality of service and allowing the council to meet their budget targets.”