A CARE service looking after elderly and vulnerable people in their own homes has been rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission.

Medic2, based in Noble Square, Basildon, was found to be hiring staff with no training by the CQC.

It heard how two staff members had completed their job applications and interviews on one day and then began work the next.

Another staff member questioned the suitability of people who had been recruited by the company.

The report said: “The provider was unable to show that effective and proper recruitment checks had been completed on all staff before they commenced working at the service.

“Staff had not undertaken the level of training required to ensure they were skilled and worked safely to meet people’s needs.”

Inspectors reported one staff member had no prior experience of working in a care setting and received no formal training after joining the company.

New staff did not receive training on using hoist equipment on patients.

One relative said: “None of them use it and most of them do not know how to use it.

“We saw how staff were hoisting them and we had to point out that their arm could be damaged.

"They just do not know how to use it properly.”

A staff member who raised concerns said the lack of training was “so worrying”.

At the time of the inspection, 43 people were being cared for by the service.

Eight out of 14 users told inspectors they have either “lost confidence” or had “no confidence” in the service provided.

The report added: “This was primarily due to repeated missed or late calls and lack of confidence in some staff’s ability to provide care and support to an acceptable level.

“The provider’s system in place to judge if staff were effectively recruited, trained, supported and competent to carry out their role and responsibilities was unsafe and inadequate.”

The CQC has demanded Medic2 provides a report which outlines how it intends to improve standards.

The regulator stopped short of taking enforcement action against the service.

A spokesman for Medic2 said: “We are working with the Care Quality Commission and Essex County Council to put things right.”