A COMMUNITY care service which was at risk of being closed down has made vast improvements in less than a year.

De Vere Care, in Cluny Square, Southend, was placed into special measures and rated inadequate by the healthcare watchdog last May.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found the service was experiencing a staffing crisis which meant patients were going without their medication and not being seen in time.

However, after a fresh inspection, the CQC found the company had made “significant improvements” since the last inspection.

The care service, which serves at least 45 people in the Southend area and employs 40 carers, now ensures staff attend calls on time, they have an improved recruitment process and they have installed a better managerial oversight process to ensure a high quality level of care is delivered.

Inspectors rated the service as good in all categories including safety, effectiveness and care.

The report stated: “Staff delivered support effectively and care was provided in a way that promoted people’s independence and wellbeing while people’s safety was ensured.

“Staff were employed upon completion of appropriate checks as part of a robust recruitment process.

“Sufficient numbers of staff enabled people’s individual needs to be be met in line with their assessed needs.”

Lianne Parkin, the new manager of the service, said: “I’m so pleased that our new CQC report reflects all the hard work that has been done.

“I really hope it helps us change the reputation of De Vere Care and proves to the public that we really have turned things around and this is a great company to receive care from or to work for.

“De Vere Care will always be a work in progress as we will always strive for excellence at all times. Our aims moving forward will always be to provide safe, compassionate, person-centred care to our service users and encourage their independence to ensure they can remain in their own homes.”

The agency provides care to people living in their own homes with dementia, a physical disability or a mental health condition.