Care home company is to cut 3,000 jobs

The company, which is in financial difficulties, said it was working with its 44,000 employees to put in place the “best possible staffing model for our future needs”.

Southern Cross runs Milliner House, in Marsh Road, Luton, and Kirby House, in West Street, Dunstable, and said the changes would not impact on residents in its care.

But East of England Euro MP Richard Howitt said families of residents needed a clear picture of the homes’ future.

He said: “As Southern Cross lurches from crisis to crisis the uncertainty and upset being suffered by residents and their families multiplies.

“On top of the worry about being turfed out of the place they call home they will now fret that the quality of their care will be cut too.

“Job cuts are bound to mean a loss of skilled and experienced staff, so how can the company give a cast iron guarantee that this will not compromise the quality of care for residents?” he added.

Jamie Buchan, chief executive of Southern Cross, said: “Southern Cross has a strong set of values and a clear vision to serve the care-related needs of elderly people in our society.

“In today’s announcement we are engaging with colleagues to put in place the best possible staffing model for our future needs, and one which fully embraces the best practice available to us.

“In developing this model during a very challenging time for both our company and the industry we are determined that the process we undertake should be exemplary in terms of staff communication.”