Council health chiefs have assured residents contingency plans have been put in place for home care services after regulators warned a major provider is facing financial difficulties.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) urged Bucks County Council (BCC) to plan for alternative home care arrangements as it has “serious doubts” about the future of Allied Healthcare.

The company is one of the largest home care providers in England, and provides services such as cleaning, shopping, meal preparation, and medication management for the elderly and disabled.

Today BCC’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, Lin Hazell, issued a statement saying clients will be kept informed and plans have been put in place in case anyone needs to be transferred to a new provider.

However she added no disruption is expected at the moment, and care services will continue as normal.

Cllr Hazell said: “The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has made us aware of their concerns relating to Allied Health Care’s financial viability.

“We are in close contact with the local branch of Allied Healthcare and our priority is always the care and wellbeing of our vulnerable residents.

“As such, we will be writing to all clients to keep them informed and putting contingency in plans place should we need to transfer anyone to a new care provider.

“At present we are not expecting any disruption to care services and expect things to continue as usual.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and will take action as and when it is considered necessary.”

Allied Healthcare has strongly refuted the CQC’s concerns, branding the announcement “premature and unwarranted”, while insisting “there is no risk to continuity of care”.

BCC has urged anyone with concerns or worries about home care services to call the council on 01296 383 204.