Powys County Council calling for urgent meeting with Bupa over care homes
Powys County Council is still locked in discussions with health provider Bupa after considering taking legal action against the care provider.
Last month it was announced that the company HC-One had completed the takeover of 122 care homes from Bupa at a cost of £30 million.
Following the announcement, Powys County Council, which has 12 care homes in the county that are run by Bupa, said it was considering legal action.
Bupa has had a contract to run the council owned homes for 16 years, including Llys Hafren in Welshpool, and Plas Cae Crwn in Newtown.
Council leader Rosemarie Harris said: "We have not been involved in discussions. We consider that Bupa's actions are unlawful and we are considering taking legal action.
"We are seeking an urgent meeting with Bupa but we do not anticipate any change to service delivery."
Powys County Council has confirmed that discussions with the care home provider are ongoing and a decision of what will happen next is yet to be made.
Councillor Stephen Hayes, cabinet member for adult social care, said: “We are still in discussion with Bupa about the contractual and operational arrangements of our 12 residential care homes here in Powys.
“No further decisions have yet been made, and discussions will continue between Powys County Council and Bupa’s executive team over the coming weeks.
“Our priority is to ensure that all residents continue to receive high quality care and support, and we will notify residents, families and carers when further information is available.”
The buyout last month made HC-One the biggest UK operator of residential homes.
The company was formed six years ago out of the collapse of Southern Cross, and is run by former NHS doctor Chai Patel.
It is expected they will expand their portfolio to around 350 homes with 22,000 care beds in the deal.
In 2014 it expanded when it was acquired by investors Court Cavendish, Formation Capital and Safanad.
