Magic AM

South Yorkshire care provider Abacus Care is under investigation after Primary Care Trusts in Sheffield and Rotherham have raised concerns about patient care.

The PCT's have suspended the company from today but Abacus Care, which provides home care for 33 patients across South Yorkshire, denies any wrong-doing.

Craig Ball's 80-year-old mum Margaret gets home care from Abacus; he's worried the sudden change in staff will affect her health:

"My mum's got severe dementia and I asked Abacus to be brought in because I'd been recommended them and the work they do is excellent.

"She knows the people and they're like a family to her. They help feed her, get her washed, sing to her and have a laugh with her. You can't just swap over the staff like that.

"The staff will lose their jobs and these people have kept my mother alive. They've fed her, she's put weight on and because of their care she's a lot better."

Guffar Ahmed is the Registered Manager at Abacus Care, South Yorkshire:

"Patients say they don't know what they're going to do and that they're devastated, and so are our staff. All our staff have put hours and hours in, and have been working for over three years, to look after dying clients throughout Sheffield and Rotherham. Never once has there been a problem and now they're being told they've going to have to look for work."

In a joint statement, Sheffield PCT and Rotherham PCT said:

"An investigation is currently taking place into Abacus following a number of concerns about patient safety, staff processes and quality of care. The current contract has been suspended whilst the investigation takes place but patients can be reassured that they will continue to receive care in the same way but delivered by an alternative care provider."