Teesdale care providers merge after contract fears

After enduring two years of uncertainty, two care companies have joined together to provide in-home services in the dale.

Middleton Care and Applejack Home Care will support disabled, elderly and vulnerable people in Teesdale on behalf of the social services.

Both companies faced an uncertain future when they lost their contracts for Teesdale and Weardale two years ago. The Durham County Council decision to award the contracts to two firms from outside the area caused an outcry at the time.

Yvonne Metcalfe, owner of Middleton Care said: “We thought we would lose everything. Middleton Care would have died eventually.”

But following a legal challenge from another company, the council agreed to restart the tendering process.

And after winning the contract for Teesdale, Applejack has joined with Middleton Care to continue to provide services in this area.

“Everything will be as it was,” said Ms Metcalfe, who took over Middleton Care in 2005.

“The only change will be the colour of the staff uniforms. This is a positive thing for the community and staff.”

Stanhope-based Applejack, which was also awarded contract for Weardale, has the highest three-star Government rating for the standards of its care.

“This is best thing for both companies and our staff, and most importantly, it is best for the service users themselves,” said Venita Pattinson from Applejack, which was founded in 2001.

“We will be working together to make sure that everybody’s care needs are met.”

Applejack will assume the role as the county council’s provider of home care in Teesdale on April 1.

Ms Pattinson said: “Carers in Teesdale also have the opportunity to use Tupe legislation to come over to Applejack and be guaranteed employment.”

Transfer of undertaking employment legislation (Tupe) protects employees’ terms and conditions when a company changes ownership or service contracts are moved to another business.