HUNDREDS of care home workers across the region face months of anxious worry, after Southern Cross revealed plans to axe 3,000 jobs yesterday.

The Darlington-based firm, which employs 44,000 staff across the country, said the proposals were essential to address staff effectiveness in its 750 homes.

Bosses said the plans would not jeopardise the quality of care provided for the company’s 31,000 residents.

However, sources said more than 300 nurses and 1,275 care staff would lose their jobs; and nearly 700 catering posts, 440 domestic jobs and 238 maintenance posts would also go.

Darlington MP Jenny Chapman said her thoughts were with residents.

“If they are not closing any homes and they are losing 3,000 staff, there is going to be some effect on care. Residents and families will want reassurances from Southern Cross about that.”

Mrs Chapman also called on Southern Cross to say if jobs would go at its Darlington headquarters, in Archer Street.

Yesterday, staff at the building declined to comment when asked about the announcement.

Tom Blenkinsop, MP for Middlesbrough South and east Cleveland, said the announcement meant either large-scale home closures or a reduction in the ratio of care staff to residents and called on company bosses to be open and honest.

Southern Cross, which yesterday declined to go into detail about the job losses, recently warned it was in a critical financial condition, having made a £311m loss in six months.

The company is underpaying its rent by nearly a third until September in an attempt to buy time to find a longer-term solution.

It has been rumoured as many as 200 homes could be closed or transferred to other operators.

Redundancy talks with staff have begun and are expected to be completed by October.

Home managers, deputy managers, relief managers, activity co-ordinators and administrators are not affected.

Southern Cross chief executive James Buchan said the company and industry was facing a very challenging time but he was determined the process would be exemplary.

A Department for Health spokesman said while it was monitoring the situation closely, it was for Southern Cross, its landlords and those with an interest in the firm to put in place a plan to stabilise the homes.

Southern Cross declined to add to its statement.