WORKERS at Southern Cross care homes in York, North and East Yorkshire face an uncertain future as the firm is set to cut 3,000 jobs nationally.

As the UK’s largest care home provider, the company is responsible for looking after 31,000 residents across 750 homes.

Southern Cross has two care homes in York: Amarna House Care Home, in Rosetta Way, Acomb, and Amelia House, in Coningham Avenue, Rawcliffe, which between them house 161 residents.

The business cares for about 450 elderly residents, including dementia patients, across York and North and East Yorkshire, with two care homes in Harrogate, two in Beverley, and other homes in Leeming Bar, Thirsk, Goole and Bridlington.

It is not clear which homes will feel the brunt of the cuts but it is understood that more than 300 nurses and 1,275 care staff are among those that will lose their jobs.

Nearly 700 catering staff and those in domestic and maintenance posts are also at risk of facing the axe.

Group chairman Christopher Fisher recently warned the firm was in a “critical financial condition” after it unveiled £311m losses in the six months to March 31 this year.

Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB trade union, appealed to the Government for help.

He said: “This is the start of a disaster for residents as well as a kick in the teeth for the staff.

“This is the trigger for the Government to step in with immediate financial support to ensure that Southern Cross continues to operate and continues to provide a home for 31,000 elderly and vulnerable residents looked after by 44,000 staff.”

Southern Cross chief executive Jamie Buchan said: “We are engaging with colleagues to put in place the best possible staffing model for our future needs, and one which fully embraces the best practice available to us. In developing this model during a very challenging time for both our company and the industry we are determined that the process we undertake should be exemplary in terms of staff communication.”