CRG saves Allied Healthcare and vows not to break up home care portfolio

Home care firm Allied Healthcare has been rescued by new owners CRG - just days after it was predicted to cease operations.

Allied Healthcare which had been on the verge of bankruptcy and was expected to cease operations by 30 November, cares for 13,000 elderly and disabled people and its new owner has pledged not to break up or abandon its home care services.

Its rescue deal ensures all the provider's care contracts will be transferred in their entirety to the home care operator CRG, and services will continue under the Allied Healthcare brand.

“We have no intention of breaking up Allied Healthcare and our aim is to ensure that no part of the country is left abandoned by this transfer of all services”, said Tristan Ramus, chairman of Health Care Resourcing Group (HCRG), which incorporates health, social care, medical and education services.

“We intend to bring the care provider back to full strength; however, this will require time and the full support of all stakeholders”, added the chairman of HCRG which has a group turnover expected to reach £310 million by 2019.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) issued a warning to Allied Healthcare in November about its financial instability and notified 84 local authorities that the home care provider may not be able to continue operating past 30 November.

Since the CQC’s warning was issued, many local authorities have taken steps to find new care providers. CRG has urged local authorities 'to consider the potential disruption that could be caused by transferring services, particularly at this time of year.’

Ian Munro, CRG's group chief executive, said: “Allied Healthcare is a natural and excellent fit for CRG, which has been operating successfully across the sectors it works in for over 18 years, and we would encourage carers across the UK to join us in helping deliver the same levels of exceptional care service users have become accustomed to from the HCRG Group".

Andrea Sutcliffe, the CQC's chief inspector of adult social care, said: “The company’s decision to sell its business to CRG Homecare can be seen as a reassuring development for those receiving and commissioning services and staff, as it provides greater certainty about the future after an unsettling few weeks.

“It is the responsibility of CRG Homecare to provide good quality care for people which can be sustained into the future and this will be monitored by our local inspection teams.”