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'Unreliable' Powys care firm Reach criticised by inspectors 'Unreliable' Powys care firm Reach criticised by inspectors
(about 1 hour later)
A care firm has been criticised for the standards of care it provided for vulnerable people in their own homes.A care firm has been criticised for the standards of care it provided for vulnerable people in their own homes.
Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) found 14 breaches of care regulations in Powys by Reach.Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) found 14 breaches of care regulations in Powys by Reach.
In one case a vulnerable person needed hospital treatment after a fall but had been left lying on the floor because a home visit was missed.In one case a vulnerable person needed hospital treatment after a fall but had been left lying on the floor because a home visit was missed.
Reach, which no longer has the contract, apologised and said it had struggled with staffing "challenges".Reach, which no longer has the contract, apologised and said it had struggled with staffing "challenges".
Powys council cancelled Reach's contract last month after complaints and claims it was "shambolic". Powys council cancelled Reach's contract in September after complaints and claims it was "shambolic".
The council had caused controversy in May by ending the contracts of 20 home care providers in favour of new contracts with four companies, including Newport-based Reach.The council had caused controversy in May by ending the contracts of 20 home care providers in favour of new contracts with four companies, including Newport-based Reach.
At the time, the authority claimed it would be simpler, deliver continuity of care and also save money.At the time, the authority claimed it would be simpler, deliver continuity of care and also save money.
But last month, Reach lost its contract with the company admitting "a problematic transition process". But in September, Reach lost its contract with the company admitting "a problematic transition process".
The report reveals between April and August, the council's adult protection and safeguarding team had initiated 73 referrals of neglect.The report reveals between April and August, the council's adult protection and safeguarding team had initiated 73 referrals of neglect.
Twelve of these were being jointly investigated by Dyfed-Powys Police.Twelve of these were being jointly investigated by Dyfed-Powys Police.
In addition, CSSIW received nine other examples of people being placed at risk because of poor care delivery.In addition, CSSIW received nine other examples of people being placed at risk because of poor care delivery.
The findings:The findings:
Examples of poor care led to two people being hospitalised. Examples of poor care led to two people being admitted to hospital.
Another received only one out of every four scheduled visits and was left without food and the medication. Another received only one out of every four scheduled visits and was left without food and medication.
Bethan Evans, corporate director of Reach, offered her apologies and said people were let down, while the company was "significantly understaffed" from the outset.Bethan Evans, corporate director of Reach, offered her apologies and said people were let down, while the company was "significantly understaffed" from the outset.
"Our first and biggest mistake was to underestimate the particular challenges we would face in taking over this contract," she said. "Our first and biggest mistake was to under-estimate the particular challenges we would face in taking over this contract," she said.
Ms Evans added: "We were simply unable to deliver the amount and quality of care expected of us, until we had overcome those staffing challenges." Ms Evans added: "We were simply unable to deliver the amount and quality of care expected of us, until we had overcome those staffing challenges."
Reach said the service it had handed over was now performing well.Reach said the service it had handed over was now performing well.
Powys council said it would "take every opportunity to learn for the future to ensure that the highest possible service delivery is maintained".Powys council said it would "take every opportunity to learn for the future to ensure that the highest possible service delivery is maintained".