0370 270 6000

Search

Search Mobile

collapse

already registered?

Please sign in with your existing account details.

Email address

Password

Sign in with LinkedIn

need to register?

Register to access exclusive content, sign up to receive our updates and personalise your experience on brownejacobson.com.

Privacy statement - Terms and conditions

Register with LinkedIn

Forgotten your password?

collapseSign

Home

Insights & events

Resources

Blogs

Should we tolerate the failure of Southern Cross?

Should we tolerate the failure of Southern Cross?

11 July 2011

The landlords of Southern Cross have refused to re-negotiate rent commitments, effectively pulling the plug on the company. The private sector’s reputation as a reliable provider of healthcare services takes another blow.

The timing is ironic, with the government unveiling today its Open Public Services White Paper. The talk is all about giving more choice to the consumer. The focus will be on where the alternative providers will come from to make such choices a reality. The government is highlighting the role of the Big Society, and playing up the opportunities for the voluntary sector.

However, for many these reforms need the private sector too, even though that will bring with it a need to make profit. In turn that needs the private sector to showcase its ability to provide efficient and reliable services. The government must be wishing ardently for an orderly transfer of Southern Cross’ homes, with minimal closures and a clear maintenance of quality standards. The future of public services needs it.

Related opinions

IR35 rules to be scrapped from April 2023

The Chancellor’s recent mini-budget provided a significant announcement for business as it was confirmed that the off-payroll working rules (known as “IR35”) put in place for public and private sector businesses from 2017 and 2021 will be scrapped from April 2023.

Challenges from potential Foster Carers and Adopters

Our immediate future shows a renewed focus on foster care. We’re going to see a new nationwide-drive to recruit foster carers and the implementation of a more robust, and potentially financially-generous system for encouraging friends and family to care for their relatives (both when extended families cannot cope or provide care for any reason).

A helpful decision for claimant solicitors on Limitation under the Human Rights Act in abuse and assault cases?

In this month’s decision of CJ & Ors v Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police the court was given the task of considering whether a sexual abuse action, brought under the Human Rights Act 1998 should be allowed to proceed to trial where the claim had been brought outside the one-year period prescribed by the Act.

80% hours for 100% pay? That’ll do nicely

As has been widely reported this week, some 3,000 UK workers are taking part in a six month trial to assess the viability of a four-day working week without any reduction in their normal pay.

View all blogs

Laura Murphy

Associate

Mailing list sign up

Select which mailings you would like to receive from us.

Sign up

Quick links

Social care