Widow abandoned by agency Carefirst24 was not council client

An 81-year-old widow who died after the home care agency caring for her was closed in a UK Border Agency raid was off the radar because she was not a client of her local council, Recruiter learns.
Wed, 6 Feb 2013
An 81-year-old widow who died after the home care agency caring for her was closed in a UK Border Agency raid was off the radar because she was not a client of her local council, Recruiter learns.

Surrey County Council has confirmed to the magazine that Gloria Foster was off their books, and that they had made provisions for other individuals affected by the closure of Carefirst24.

Foster died after being left without home care for nine days without the provision of food, water and medication, when the UK Border Agency (UKBA) raided and closed the agency that she paid for the services. She was rushed to Epsom Hospital but died on Monday (4 February).

Carefirst24, which had been contracted by Surrey County Council to provide care for other residents, was raided by UKBA in January. Six people were arrested on suspicion to facilitate and defraud, as it was believed the agency was supplying illegal workers, a UKBA spokesperson tells Recruiter.

Investigations are ongoing, while those arrested have been bailed until mid-April.

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