STOURBRIDGE MP Margot James has called on the Government to launch an investigation into the conduct of the former directors of Southern Cross should its position deteriorate further.

Southern Cross Healthcare, a care home provider which manages six homes in the Dudley borough, has been struggling to meet its financial obligations.

The troubled care home operator has recently announced a £311m half-year loss and is proposing to cut 3,000 of its 44,000 workforce, leaving more than 200 Southern Cross residents in Dudley fearing for the future of their care home.

In the event of the company’s further deterioration Margot called for questions be asked about how the former directors acted in terms of their duty of care to both their company and residents, and urged the Minister to investigate their conduct.

Paul Burstow, care services minister, assured Margot the welfare of residents was the Government’s “paramount concern” and pledged to take “every step necessary” to protect residents in Southern Cross run care homes across the country.

Ms James said: “It is an outrage that so many residents, often elderly and vulnerable, are facing such an uncertain future and the directors of this group should most certainly face some tough questions on their actions.”