Unions anger at frontline care plans in West Sussex

A union has called for the “myth” that the private sector can run the public services “more effectively” to be “exploded”.

It comes in the wake of residents being removed from a BUPA-run care home in Crawley.

West Sussex County Council took 52 residents out of the privately managed Oakhurst Grange Care Home after it failed to improve.

Now Unison in West Sussex is questioning outsourcing frontline care to private companies.

Branch secretary Dan Sartin said: “This is yet another example of privatisation in social care going badly wrong.

“It’s time to explode the myth that the private sector can run public services more efficiently.

“Core services should not be run for profit.

“Councillors should be asking if their strategic objective to become a ‘commissioning authority’ is the right one when failures like Oakhurst Grange keep mounting up.”

Care Quality Commission reports revealed residents were fighting in the corridors, unbeknownst to staff, and being left on the toilet for up to 45 minutes – apparently having been forgotten.

Last week Amanda Rogers, West Sussex County Council’s director of adult services, said: “This decision has been a difficult one for us to make, as we are aware that moving frail and elderly residents to alternative accommodation causes them stress.

“We only do this when necessary, and in this case, it is necessary.”

BUPA said the home has improved and residents’ welfare is always the number one priority.