Care Home Owners Demand Fair Fees to End Postcode Lottery Disparities

Disparities in Care Home Fees May Result in Closures, Experts Warn

!Orme View Care Home
Fees for Orme View care home in Llandudno and other facilities in Conwy County have risen significantly this year compared to those in neighboring Denbighshire.

The organization representing the care home sector has called for uniformity across local authorities in Wales regarding payment rates for care home placements.

The Postcode Lottery of Care Home Fees

Currently, there exists a stark contrast between the fees set by different councils, leading to what is being termed a “postcode lottery.” For instance, two adjacent counties are experiencing a weekly fee disparity of £70 for basic care services. This inconsistency raises concerns among operators about potential closures.

In response to these disparities, the Welsh government has established the National Office for Care and Support to explore ways to achieve greater consistency across regions. However, they acknowledge that variations will persist due to factors such as land values associated with care homes.

Rising Costs at Orme View Care Home

Orme View care home located in Llandudno has recently increased its fees alongside all other facilities within Conwy County. This change comes after the county council opted out of a previously agreed-upon fee-setting system among north Welsh councils.

Instead, Conwy County is now determining its fees based on recommendations from an independent assessment that suggested higher payments than before. Steffan Robbins from Orme View expressed optimism about this shift during an interview on Politics Wales, stating it represents significant progress.

Robbins noted: “Conwy’s decision reflects a genuine effort to evaluate the actual costs involved in providing quality care while ensuring that their rates are sustainable.”

!Old Vicarage
Bethan Mascarenhas from Old Vicarage highlights her struggle with top-up fees due to lower council-set rates.

Financial Struggles at Old Vicarage

Conversely, The Old Vicarage situated in Llangollen faces financial challenges as it receives significantly lower funding per resident compared to Orme View. Although there was an increase this year under Denbighshire’s fee structure, it remains substantially less than what is offered by Conwy County.

For basic services at Orme View, residents pay £846 weekly; however, those at Old Vicarage only incur charges of £774 per week. Bethan Mascarenhas who manages The Old Vicarage lamented how these differences compel her facility to impose additional top-up fees on residents just so they can maintain operations effectively.

“It’s disheartening,” she remarked. “As someone deeply committed to delivering exceptional service—be it through nutritious meals or engaging activities—the financial gap directly impacts our ability to provide high-quality experiences.”

Addressing Financial Inequities

Care Home Wales—a collective body representing Welsh residential facilities—asserts that current funding disparities undermine homes located where local authority payments fall short of adequate levels. Chairman Mario Kreft emphasized the urgent need for equitable funding across all regions: “We must eliminate this postcode lottery.”

Denbighshire Council responded by stating their commitment towards balancing fiscal constraints while ensuring sustainability within their local care sector framework. They claimed no evidence suggests that varying fee structures jeopardize any homes’ viability within their jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, officials from the Welsh government indicated ongoing discussions regarding national methodologies aimed at standardizing fee structures without enforcing a single rate throughout Wales; regional factors like land prices will still influence individual charges.

Politics Wales airs Sundays on BBC One Wales at 10:00 BST.