'Company's collapse left my dad without care'

Hygea Homecare, which provides care visits for the elderly and vulnerable, ceased to operate, leaving Russell Woollford and others without care

A woman says she had hours to find alternatives for her dad after the company providing care for him closed for good.

Hygea Homecare, which provides care visits for the elderly and vulnerable and is based in Long Eaton, Derbyshire, has blamed rising costs, the increase in employers' National Insurance contributions and a recruitment crisis in social care.

Among those affected by the sudden closure is Hayley Woollford's dad Russell, a retired mechanic who served in the Army.

"It's been a bit scary really because I've been wondering who is going to be looking after me," the 79-year-old told the BBC.

Mr Woollford lives with lymphoedema - a condition which affects his mobility.

"It just shows how much social services are under pressure - all those people who were looking after me, I don't know what's going to happen to them," he said.

"It's all happened really quickly, I can't really comprehend it all."

Hayley Woollford (left) said the past 48 hours trying to secure alternative care for her father had been extremely stressful

His daughter, Hayley, said the short notice of the firm's collapse added to the family's panic in trying to sort alternative care.

"I've had a really stressful two days trying to organise something for my dad and it's taken a lot out of me," she said.

"It's been extremely hard, less than 48 hours, there was no need for it, that was the most difficult part of it.

"I couldn't believe it when my dad rang me. I was at work myself and it threw my whole day out of sequence."

One employee who lost her job told the BBC some of the company's clients were receiving four calls a day, sometimes from two carers.

The woman, who did not want to be named, said some of those she had visited were receiving end-of-life care.

'Recruitment crisis'

In a notice of termination email sent to staff - and seen by the BBC - Hygea Homecare blamed a number of factors for its closure.

"We've faced mounting pressures that small businesses struggle to weather," it said.

"Rising costs, the increase in employers' National Insurance contributions, and a challenging economic climate have pushed us beyond what we can sustain.

"The ongoing social care recruitment crisis has created additional challenges, with increased competition for skilled staff and rising wage expectations that we simply cannot match whilst maintaining a viable business.

"We explored every option we could think of – cutting costs, seeking new opportunities, looking for ways to keep going. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough."

A company spokesman told the BBC Hygea Homecare had continued to provide care visits until 22:00 BST on Tuesday and all of its clients had been notified of the company's closure by phone or email.

He added all relevant bodies had also been made aware.

Councillor Joss Barnes, cabinet member for adult care at Derbyshire County Council, said: "Since becoming aware of the issue, our teams have helped people who were receiving support from the company to find alternative care to meet their needs."