St Gregory’s Homecare Ltd, which offered care to people across the Westmorland and Furness area, made service users aware of its decision to close in a letter dated October 28.
The letter informed those requiring care that the company would close on November 10, but did give options for alternative care arrangements.
In the letter to users, a total of eight other local care providers were listed and recommended.
However, the son of one of St Gregory’s Homecare’s service users said that the period between being informed of the closure and the closure itself was not long enough to find alternative care provision for his father.
David Lovell said: “My father was being cared for seven days a week and his carers were withdrawn at only five working days notice.
“That’s not enough time to put in place alternative arrangements when a new company needs to be found and a care plan drafted and agreed.”
He did, nevertheless, say that the carers from St Gregory’s who helped his father ‘were great’.
In response to the criticism, St Gregory’s Homecare said that a letter went out on October 28, informing service users of the upcoming closure on November 10.
A spokesperson said: “St Gregory’s Homecare Ltd has had the privilege to serve the local community of Westmorland & Furness for the past 38 years.
“Due to a number of significant challenges over the past 12 months the Company has made the difficult decision to cease trading.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal and dedicated Staff Members.
“We would also like to extend our sincerest apologies to anyone who has been affected by our closure.
“We are working closely with the Local Authority to ensure that all Service Users source alternative care providers.”
Last year, the Care Quality Commission said that St Gregory’s Homecare Ltd ‘required improvement’ following an inspection that they conducted.
