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NEWS RELEASE FROM THE
REGISTERED NURSING HOME ASSOCIATION IN WALES

Issued 10th April 2002

MASSIVE JOBS LOSS PREDICTED
FOR PEMBROKESHIRE

Hundreds of jobs in Pembrokeshire's nursing and residential care homes now hang in the balance, it was claimed today.

The warning, from the Registered Nursing Home Association in Wales, comes hot on the heels of job losses already announced in other employment sectors in the county and could spell a heavy blow to the local economy.

Care homes represent not only a major source of employment but, through their purchasing of food, goods and other services, spends tens of thousands of pounds annually with Pembrokeshire suppliers.

Financial pressures on the county's care homes mean many could close their doors for good in the next twelve months. Pembrokeshire Social Services has refused to increase the fees it pays to homes to care for publicly funded patients.

Said Anthony Ramsey-Williams, chairman of the RNHA in Wales: "In the past, the local authority has often been heard to boast about the number of additional jobs being created in the new technology centres. Now the authority is burying its head in the sand by refusing to help save care homes that provide a vital service to the community's older people."

He added: "Closures of more care homes will leave many old people without a suitable place to live and will put many Pembrokeshire residents without a job. The impact on the community, both economically and in human terms, will be devastating. Let us hope that the county council sees the light before it is too late."

The Registered Nursing Home Association in Wales is pressing the council for talks to find a solution that will keep local care homes open and avert massive social problems from further closures.

END

Anthony Ramsey-Williams, Chairman of the Registered Nursing Home Association in Wales
(Tel: 01792 235329)