UK care centre firm is ‘at risk’
THE care of 120 vulnerable people could be uncertain after a major provider was labelled “at risk”.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) warned it has serious doubts about the future of Allied Healthcare, though the firm has branded the claims “premature and unwarranted”.
Allied is one of the biggest health care providers in the country and operates a centre at Swan Alley, Ormskirk, which provides care for the elderly and support to people who are suffering from dementia, drug dependence, learning disabilities, mental health condition, physical disabilities and sensory impairment.
The CQC has written to the local authorities in England telling them there is a “credible risk” that Allied may have to cease services when a loan payment becomes due at the end of the month.
In response to the warning, Lancashire County Council said that it had contingency plans in place for all those who would be affected by a possible closure.
Tony Pounder, director of adult services for Lancashire County Council, said: “Following a notification sent to councils across the country by the CQC on Monday, November 5, we are monitoring Allied Healthcare’s situation very carefully.
“People’s safety and wellbeing is our priority and we are putting contingency plans in place.
“We will ensure people who currently receive social care support from Allied Healthcare continue to receive the services they need should the provider’s financial position worsen.”
Allied, which is owned by a private equity firm, employs 8,700 people and cares for 13,500 elderly and vulnerable patients around the UK. According to its most recent report, in which the Swan Alley centre was rated “Good” and 55 staff are employed in Ormskirk.
A spokesperson for Allied Healthcare said: “We are surprised and deeply disappointed by CQC Market Oversight’s decision, which we regard as premature and unwarranted.
“We have demonstrated throughout our discussions with the regulator that Allied Healthcare’s operations are sustainable and safe, that we have secured a potential replacement of our credit facility, that there is no risk to continuity of care and that we have a long-term business plan in place that will continue to deliver quality care across the UK.
“The CQC has disregarded these assurances in spite of the robust evidence we have provided.
“By issuing a Stage 6 notification, the CQC is putting significant pressure on already stretched and pressurised local authorities and clinical commissioning groups.
“Continuity of quality care is our number one priority.
“We will continue to provide the services entrusted to Allied Healthcare and will work closely with all commissioners of care throughout this period.” LANCASHIRE’S street lights will no longer be inspected at night in a £440,000 cost-saving exercise.
The council says that installation of new LED lamps means that lighting is now more reliable and regular inspections no longer as necessary.
Highways officers currently carry out inspections on a fortnightly basis during the darker winter months and once a month for the rest of the year.
Lancashire County Council has been replacing sodium lamps with LEDs for a number of years, with around 114,000 of the county’s 151,000 street lights now upgraded.
A further programme of investment means that almost all will be LEDs by 2021.
The decision, made by the county council’s cabinet, comes after the results of a recent public consultation showed that 57% of respondents agreed with plans to stop night-time inspections, and 50% agreed with plans to extend the routine testing cycle from five to 10 years.
The council will now stop carrying out night-time inspections, and move to making routine tests of street lights every 10 years, rather than every five years.
However, when members of the public report faults, the council says that it will be quick to fix them, maintaining the current five-day response target whenever a problem is reported.
LED lights are expected to work reliably for about 20 years, lasting much longer than the traditional sodium lights, resulting in less need to check and fix them.
The savings to the council’s budget will be made from 2019/20 onwards.
County Councillor Keith Iddon, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Like many councils we are facing an extremely challenging financial position, and this is one area where the increased reliability of new technology means we can save a lot of money with no significant impact on the quality of service.
“The consultation shows that people broadly accept these changes and understand why we’re making them.
“I’d like to reassure those respondents who were concerned that there may be fewer working street lights that this is not something we expect to happen, or would accept.
“Faults should occur much less often with LED lamps, and when they are reported we will respond within five days, and immediately if there should ever be a bigger problem.”