Deal means more carers for city pensioners

MORE trained carers will available to look after York pensioners in their homes under a deal announced yesterday between two private sector partners.

ERA Healthcare, based in York, has signed a major contract with a live-in care specialist to provide domiciliary care to people based in York and the surrounding areas.

The partnership is aimed at benefiting vulnerable patients who would prefer to be cared for in the community rather than admitted to hospital.

ERA Healthcare offers a combination of premier healthcare services to residential care and nursing homes, individuals and families in need of domiciliary or nursing care.

The company will provide carers for York’s residents on behalf of Essex-based Care at Home.

Care at Home’s managing director Russell Bower said he was pleased to be working with ERA.

“They have shown us that they believe in putting clients first and that together we can build on our 20 years’ experience and extend our specialised live-in care service to cover Yorkshire.

“Live-in care works because more and more people are looking to retain their independence and want to maintain a quality of life as well as retain the freedom of being in their own home.

“We employ our own carers who are all trained to the highest standard and who have been fully checked with the Criminal Records Bureau.”

He added: “When asked, most people would prefer to remain in their own home where things are familiar – there are no visiting times and if you want to keep your pet, then you can.”

Bosses say this latest agreement marks ERA Healthcare’s rapid progress in the domiciliary care market since its launch in May.

The company has been awarded with the highest standard possible from the Care Quality Commission, receiving a 3* rating.

Tim Kent, managing director of ERA Healthcare, said “Since our launch back in March we have secured a number of care placements, both with Adecco to supply staff to York City Council and also to the Leonard Cheshire Disability Home in Alne near York. We have also just been included on North Yorkshire County Council’s list of accredited domiciliary care providers.”