Age UK Statement on Southern Cross

Andrew Harrop, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Age UK, said:

'Age UK understands the concerns and worries that Southern Cross residents and their families are experiencing. Many examples of poor quality residential care can be put down to insufficient staffing levels. The Care Quality Commission should take urgent action to scrutinise the quality of care in Southern Cross Homes.

'The current Health and Social Care Bill creates a new role for Monitor, the economic regulator for health and social care.  Age UK is calling for the Bill to extend Monitor's powers to include responsibility for ensuring that care homes are financially viable and reduce consequent threats to the safety and wellbeing of residents.

'Any older person or family members who would like to know their legal rights with respect to care homes can call the Age UK free phone helpline on 0800 169 6565.'

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Notes to Editors

Age UK

For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.

We provide free information, advice and support to over five million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we").  Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

Media contact: Hilary Carter
Tel: 020 3033 1433
Out of hours: 07071 243 243