Homecare company warned over failings

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission uncovered a catalogue of failings by Caremark (Calderdale) in Halifax run by Alison Jackson, wife of ex-Bradford City and Huddersfield Town player and manager Peter Jackson who is its marketing director.

Officials found people were not consistently receiving care at appropriate times because “visits were often delayed or missed entirely”.

Records showed staff visits did not last for the agreed length of time, increasing risks needs might not be met.

The commission said that when care workers reported safeguarding issues to senior staff they were not always referred to relevant authorities.

Inspectors also found that records relating to how complaints had been dealt with contained inconsistencies and it was not clear how improvements were being carried out.

The commission said urgent improvements were required and issued three formal warnings to the firm.

Its regional director, Malcolm Bower-Brown, said the “continued failure” to meet national standards was “unacceptable”.

“We have told the provider very clearly where improvements must be made,” he said.

“We will inspect again in the near future and if we find the agency has not made the necessary improvement we will consider the need for further regulatory action on our part.

“In the meantime, we continue to monitor the agency very closely, liaising with local commissioners to ensure that people using the service receive the standards of care they are entitled to expect.”

The company said it did not wish to comment.