Issued 7th May 2002

SOCIAL SERVICES DIRECTOR APOLOGISES FOR REMARKS
ABOUT COUNTY'S NURSING HOMES

Pembrokeshire nursing homes have received an unreserved apology from the county's social care and housing director, Jon Skone, for remarks he made about local nursing homes in a letter he sent to residents' relatives last month.

Mr Skone has called his own remarks 'unfair' and 'misleading'. He has now written a second letter apologising for the words he used.

Responding on behalf of the county's nursing homes Mr Anthony Ramsey-Williams, chairman of the Registered Nursing Home Association in Wales, said Mr Skone's apology had been accepted and the incident was now closed.

He added: "What matters now is that the county council and nursing homes find a mutually acceptable framework for meeting the actual costs of providing quality care. We look forward to resuming negotiations to find a fair and lasting settlement that will be to the long-term benefit of older people in Pembrokeshire who need 24-hour nursing care."

END

For further information please contact:

Anthony Ramsey-Williams, chairman of the RNHA in Wales
Tel: 01792 235325 or 01792 234997