BOSSES at North and South Ayrshire Councils have stepped in to protect vital ‘care and support at home’ services for older and vulnerable people – and keep 97 people in a job – after a contracted care provider ceased trading.

Premier Home Care (Scotland) Ltd – which provides home care services on behalf of councils in North Ayrshire and South Ayrshire – announced it would no longer operate from August 14.

Premier has been providing home care services to 219 people in Ayrshire: 104 in North Ayrshire, who receive 1,200 hours of care per week 115 in South Ayrshire, who receive 884 hours of care per week (primarily in Ayr, Prestwick and Troon).

As a result, the two councils – which deliver home care services through the newly-created Health and Social Care Partnerships – have been working to ensure the continued and consistent delivery of high-quality care and support to people in their own homes.

After looking at a number of different options, the decision has been taken that the best way to protect and maintain the services needed – and to maintain the vital jobs that deliver them – is for North and South Ayrshire Councils to directly employ the 97 Premier staff who currently provide care and support to individuals within North and South Ayrshire.

The change will take effect as soon as Premier ceases trading, ensuring continuity and consistency of high-quality care for all 219 service users.

North Ayrshire Council’s Anthea Dickson, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: “This has obviously been an anxious time for our service users and their families so I’m delighted a resolution has been reached so quickly.

“There were clearly a number of things we had to consider during our detailed talks with Premier Home Care and all other interested parties.

"But our primary concern was always the service users and ensuring there was no disruption to the service both in the short-term and as we move forward in the longer term.

"We have a really good track record of care provision and I’m confident that by taking on the service in-house we can move forward senselessly and continue to provide a high standard of care.

"I’m also delighted we’re able to safeguard the jobs of so many of the Premier Home Care employees.

"I’m sure they will continue their excellent work with us as part of the North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership.”