ALLIED HEALTHCARE have began the process of a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) as local authorities are facing financial difficulties that are affecting local services, including social care.

With more than 80 community-based branches across the UK, and nearly 9,000 employees, roughly 200 of those in Pembrokeshire, staff will be facing uncertain futures, irrespective of reassurances.

As a result, Allied Healthcare are in discussions with some of the organisations that they work with on a daily basis.

They have assured employees that the process will ensure that their carer workforce are able to keep providing the best quality care to all of the individuals and families that they support. The plan is for this process to be finalised in the coming weeks.

Allied spoke of the significant funding pressures on their customers – local authorities and the NHS, and explained that they are currently working to address the short-term pressures facing the business and transition to a business plan that resolves these pressures.

They went on to suggest that following this, the business will be in good financial health, supported by a strong and sustainable business plan and ongoing investment in health and social care operations across the UK.

Allied Healthcare also insisted that it would not impact employment or payment of staff, adding that it was business as usual for Allied Healthcare and their employees.

A spokesperson for the company said:  “As with many independent providers in the UK health and social care sector, Allied Healthcare has been operating in a highly challenging environment for a sustained period of time, which has placed pressure on the company.

“As a result of these challenges, Allied Healthcare has submitted a proposal for a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) to its creditors for their consideration, as part of a prospective business plan that will ensure safe continuity of care across our UK-wide operations, place the company on a sustainable long-term footing, and maximise repayments to creditors.

“The proposed CVA will not impact on the safe continuity of care that Allied Healthcare provides across the UK.

“Under the CVA plan in consideration, there would be no redundancies or branch closures as a result of its implementation.

“Allied Healthcare will continue to trade safely and it remains business as usual for Allied Healthcare employees and customers.”

A CVA allows a company with debt problems or that is insolvent to reach a voluntary agreement with its business creditors regarding repayment of all, or part of its corporate debts over an agreed period of time.

The application for a CVA can be made by the agreement of all directors of the company, the legal administrators of the company, or the appointed company liquidator.

Allied Healthcare have written to all clients to let them know that they will continue to receive the same level of care and their care plans will not change.