Lib Dems want review of Care Service contracts

4.06.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 9th Jun 2008

Following the news last week that Hertfordshire County Council had received

hundreds of complaints regarding home care contractors Supporta Care and

CareUK and the lack of care they were providing the Lib Dems have asked for

a full review of the issues.

The portfolio holder for Adult Social Care publicly tried to distance the

County Council from the issues saying that their checks were in order. This,

however, is not the case: it is the County Council's responsibility to provide the service.

The Conservative administration cannot dodge responsibility simply because

they have chosen to sue a private contractor.

Chris White said: 'I have asked for a meeting this week with the Director of

Adult Social Care as these appalling events have affected over half the

county. It is totally unacceptable that vulnerable adults are left at risk.

We will also be asking for a full inquiry as to how this happened.'

Chris continued: 'This is the start of these four contracts. The council's

tendering process should have checked that these companies could cope with

service delivery. Clearly this process failed.'