Southern Cross care home transfer successfully completed

The government has welcomed news that all care homes previously run by Southern Cross have been successfully transferred to new operators.

Under the guidance of the Care Quality Commission, the transfer of all homes formerly operated by the now-defunct provider has been finalised with minimum disruption caused to patients, none of whom lost their places as a result of the move.

Care services minister Paul Burstow said the process has required complex negotiation and a "huge cooperative effort", thanking those involved for helping to ensure continuity of care.

"Few thought this would be possible and many voiced fears about what the process would mean for residents," he noted.

According to the Department of Health, measures are now being examined to prevent a repeat of the Southern Cross collapse and its impact, with attention paid to possible new safeguards that could be put in place.

However, criticism has come from the Public Accounts Committee, with chair Margaret Hodge noting that the financial health of the new providers – many of whom are in significant amounts of debt – is not being monitored properly.