Patients in limbo after social care firm collapses

ELDERLY and disabled people in Knutsford were handed a shock this morning, Friday, after a company that helps to care for them went bust.

Abacus Care (Cheshire) Ltd provided home care services to residents in Knutsford – some of which have their care paid for by Cheshire East Council.

But Cheshire East Council has told the Guardian it has intervened to ensure care for vulnerable adults is secure after the collapse of the private care provider.

The company, which ceased trading at 5pm on Thursday, August 23, was part of a franchise of the national Abacus Care Ltd, which has 26 franchises in total.

According to staff, they received a text message last night, Thursday, telling the company had gone bust and they were out of work.

Those residents who are paid for by the council either arrange it themselves via a direct payment or have it arranged for them by the authority. The rest pay for their own care privately.

The council said it was putting measures in place to ensure that the safety and wellbeing of these customers is protected. The aim must be to ensure that these people are transferred to alternative providers with minimal disruption to them.

Clr Michael Jones, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “I was made aware of the issue some weeks ago. Our first priority is that all our residents are looked after.

“Vulnerable people come first with this Council.

“It is never good news when an organisation of this type gets into financial difficulties. I can reassure everyone in Cheshire East that we have worked very hard to try and resolve financial issues with Abacus Care (Cheshire) over the previous months.

“Unfortunately we are in this position and our priority must now be to reassure our vulnerable residents and ensure their needs are met.”