Care boss hits back at formal warning (From Echo)

Care boss hits back at formal warning

12:50pm Tuesday 22nd November 2011 in Billericay By Emma Palmer

THE owner of a Billericay care agency has hit back at claims from a health watchdog she is putting clients at risk because of her failure to complete some “paper work”.

Elizabeth Forbes-Stobbe, 47, who owns the Dial-A-Carer Agency, in Downham Road, has been given a formal warning and told to make urgent improvements or face further action.

The Care Quality Commission found the business was failing to protect the “safety and welfare” of its clients, after a surprise visit on August 10.

The spot-check found some staff had not undergone Criminal Records Bureau checks, workers had been given a job without completing an application form and some staff were not checked with the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

Mrs Forbes-Stobbe, a nurse with 20 years experience, said: “I have nothing to hide. I am transparent and always will be with the way this agency is run.

“We have never taken on someone with a criminal record.

“I want to assure people this warning is about paperwork and administration, not in any way about the care we provide.

“We’ve been making steady improvements to our administrative systems throughout 2011.

“We have met the commission’s officers and have invited them to inspect our documentation at any time, so they can see at first-hand the improvements we have made.”

Dial-a-Carer is a domiciliary agency that provides care workers for people requiring help in their own home.

Two people are based in the office and 15 carers operate in the community.

Mrs Forbes-Stobbe, who has worked at Warley and Basildon Hospitals in the past, is now awaiting the outcome of a follow-up visit by the commission.

She said the firm will comply with every request issued by the commission.

She said: “Sometimes with small firms, like ours, it appears to all be about ticking boxes.

“The people we support in their own homes are very satisfied with the service they receive from us and the commission’s issues were about office-related matters and not about the direct care we provide.

“We are proud of the service we provide to vulnerable people and will continue to develop our service and ensure we achieve what we set out to do which is care.”

Frances Carey, regional director of Care Quality Commission in the East of England, said: “The law says these are the standards everyone should be able to expect.

“Providers have a duty to ensure they are compliant.”