SOCIAL service chiefs in Darlington plan to throw a lifeline to the town's struggling independent nursing homes.

Over the past year, 366 private sector residential and nursing care beds have been lost across the borough with more homes earmarked for closure.

Only two council-run nursing homes remain open and the town's Memorial hospital is already experiencing "bed blocking" because of a lack of locally available care beds to discharge elderly patients to.

But a proposal to go before the council's cabinet shortly should mark the beginning of significant changes. Approval from members is sought to use the bulk of a £152,000 government one-off payment to increase local authority fees paid to nursing homes. Without the increase, home-owners claimed their businesses would face financial ruin.

The council's director of social services, Mr Colin Morris, told the D&S Times: "Subject to cabinet approval, the vast bulk of the 'cash for change' money will be used to increase fee levels. This should help to stabilise the market and attract new operators to the town.

"The rest will be used to make an impact on hospital waiting lists and bed blocking issues."

The move, backed by the Darlington independent sector provider group, pulls together weeks of intense discussions and is being seen as a major breakthrough for local operators.

Payments to homes are set by social services and remain the same regardless of the actual costs incurred in looking after an elderly resident.

Mrs Maureen Horton, chairman of the Darlington independent sector provider group, said the proposal would keep homes going and alleviate further bed blocking.

She said: "Colin Morris knows how difficult it has been to run a home with the budgets we have and has been extremely fair with us all down the line.

"He knows the money isn't enough to do everything but he wanted us involved in how best to spend it.

"A rise in fees will help those who have battled on through difficult times to keep going. Without it many more could close down."

Mrs Janette Malham, Darlington representative of Care North-East, which represents large care operators across the region, added: "If approved, this will be very good news for Darlington.

"We have been pressing for a review of the fees for a long time."