Private Care In Suffolk To Be Investigated
Allegations some elderly people in Suffolk are not getting the correct level of home care are to be investigated by council managers.
The county lacks proper mechanisms to check the care provided by private firms who work on behalf of the county council, says the Labour group.
The Tory-run council has now decided to investigate the claims.
Graham Newman, of the council’s adult and community services, said the clear priority was to protect older people.
Kevan Lim, leader of the Labour group, said he raised the concerns with the council after receiving a complaint from an elderly constituent.
His constituent complained they were being provided with fewer hours of care by a private carer than agreed by the county council.
At a council meeting Mr Lim called on the county “to ensure an urgent investigation into the activities of Carewatch Ipswich (a private company) with a view to ensuring that all current contract terms are being implemented”.
He said: “There seems to have been little attempt to check whether the people who are owed care are actually receiving the correct hours of care and…getting a stable and well-managed service.”
Mr Newman, portfolio holder for Adult and Community Services, said: “We will investigate the detail of this issue very carefully.
“Government inspectors have recently looked at this company and rated it as good, but I am always available to hear any concerns.”
Elaine Grace, manager of Carewatch Ipswich, said the firm has not received a complaint and feels it has become a “political scapegoat”.
“We know our staff offer a high level of service. We are very upset this complaint has been made in this way,” she said.
Miss Grace the company had been going for about eight years and employed about 100 staff, many former council carers.
Kathy Pollard, leader of the Liberal Democrats on the council, said: “These are very serious issues and if the Conservatives are going to continue to outsource services in this way, proper inspection is vital.”
