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Cllr Catherine West: ‘too long coming’ |
The shock axing of homecare contract
Under-fire firm says it is ‘taken aback’ by decision
A PRIVATE company has had its contract to provide homecare services in Islington ended by the Town Hall.
While Labour councillors claimed the shock move was overdue, Care UK said it was “taken aback” by the decision.
The firm has faced criticism in Islington for slashing staff wages when it originally took over a separate contract for care homes in 2006.
And it attracted further fire last year, when a manager of Lennox House care home – run by the company – was suspended after the bodies of two pensioners were left in their rooms for a couple of days after their deaths.
Sean McLaughlin, the council’s social services director, issued the company with a three-month notice on Friday. The contract will end on December 3.
Labour group leader Councillor Catherine West said: “I’m pleased they’ve decided to get out of this contract for homecare services. However, we believe this has been too long coming.
“I would like to congratulate the director of adult social services for his decision. The officer acted diligently. We have been calling for this contract to be scrapped for years but the Lib Dems opposed these moves.”
In a letter to council chief executive John Foster and Lib Dem leader Councillor Terry Stacy on Friday, Mr McLaughlin cited numerous complaints from residents about the homecare service provided by the firm.
He criticised the company for failing to sign a formal contract and for trying to renegotiate the terms.
Care UK looks after the needs of more than 100 people in the south of the borough, providing home visits, help with domestic chores and personal care.
The company was one of four organisations awarded a new contract for homecare services in April. Care UK will retain its separate residential care contract with the council.
The decision ending the homecare contract was taken by council officers under delegated powers. The Town Hall’s cabinet will be asked to approve a contract with an alternative company on September 17.
Lib Dem social services chief Councillor Ursula Woolley said: “Islington Council is ending its contract with Care UK to provide homecare services.
“We have made the decision carefully and decided that clients’ needs will be better served with a different model of care from another provider. We look forward to announcing publicly the new contract partner in due course.”
Care UK spokeswoman Sheila Roberts said: “We are completely taken aback by the decision. This is a new contract and we were working closely with the council to bring the service to the same standards we have been providing for Islington residents for many years.
“This will be a real blow to the local people we employ and to the service users they care for. We take our responsibilities very seriously on every contract and have already recruited and trained a great team of carers for Islington.”
She added: “The quality of Care UK’s homecare services across the country places us among the highest-ranking independent homecare providers in terms of the good and excellent ratings received by our services from the Care Quality Commission. It’s a shame that people in Islington won’t be able to benefit from this quality service in future.”
Responding to references to Lennox House, in Finsbury Park, she said: “Lennox House is much loved by its residents. Many relatives of residents have praised the standards of care provided by our hardworking and diligent staff.” |
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