Placements halted at care firm over breaches

The council has suspended new referrals to Ranis Healthcare Limited

New council placements at a home care company where a Conservative councillor is a director have been suspended after it was found to have breached several regulations.

Ranis Healthcare Limited, which provides personal care to adults including those with dementia and disabilities, was placed in special measures after being rated inadequate by the care regulator last month.

Its directors include Leedo George - Tory representative for Huntingdon North and Hartford for Cambridgeshire County Council, with whom the company has a four-year contract.

He told the BBC he was "taking it seriously". He added he was "pretty sure we'll be back on track" and was working with the council.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found six breaches of regulations, including over safe care and treatment, and safeguarding.

People told the CQC that staff were often late and did not stay for the allocated time.

One said: "I never know what time they should be here or how long they're going to stay. They usually come eventually, but not always when they say they will."

The CQC were also told people were unsure who was managing the service and did not feel listened to, with one relative stating: "They never call back – it's like shouting into a void. It is just a rudderless ship."

The regulator also said: "Systems and processes to ensure people were protected from the risk of harm were poor and inefficient."

George became a councillor in May, Ranis Healthcare has had a contract with the authority since 2023 and his directorship is in his declaration of interests.

The council refused to say what the value of the contract was.

A spokesperson said: "We have taken steps to reduce any risk to the people who draw on care and support provided by Ranis Healthcare, and we are supporting them in making the changes required, as identified in the CQC report and outlined in their action plan.

"For the time being, we have suspended making any new placements with them. We continue to be in regular communication with the CQC on the matter."