A CARE provider based in Gloucestershire has been cited as an example of good practice in an independent report on care provision in the UK.

The report, by Baroness Denise Kingsmill and commissioned by the Labour Party, said DoCare showed how things can be done in the care sector, which has been criticised for practices including 15-minute visits to clients and employing staff on zero hours contracts.

DoCare covers 1,000 square miles and has teams based in Bristol, Cirencester, Cheltenham, Dursley, Gloucester, Stroud, Witney and Yate.

The report said the company “provided staff with extensive training, as well as a clear career structure and opportunities for progression”.

It added: “Any promotion at DoCare reflects competence and experience in the care sector and comes with a pay increase.”

DoCare operations director Una Mills was invited to the launch of the report at the House of Lords, attended by Baroness Kingsmill, Andy Burnham (Shadow Secretary of State for Health), Liz Kendall (Shadow Minister for Care and Older People) and Labour MP Hazel Blears.

At the launch, Andy Burnham said: “Social care should be considered as the highest calling.

“There is no solution for the NHS without a solution for social care. We want to reassure people so that they can look forward to a longer life.”

For more information contact Jo Smyth, of Word Worker, on 01666 861149 / 077806 39287 or email jo@wordworker.co.uk