The Minister for Health and Care has welcomed today’s announcement of the incorporation of Community Care Domiciliary Services Limited, wholly owned by Community Care and to operate as a non-profit organisation with the sole purpose of the provision of high-quality services in a manner that prioritises the wellbeing of both staff and service users.

The company will operate at arm’s length from the Government and will draw upon the experience and expertise of individuals who have previously been involved in this sector.  The provision of services will largely be to the same individuals who are beneficiaries of Community Care. The Government is, therefore, confident in the ability of Community Care Domiciliary Services Ltd to deliver on continuity of care at the highest level.

Community Care Domiciliary Services Ltd will uphold the same values and ethos that have long underpinned the work of Community Care. Recognising that staff are at the heart of quality care provision, the company will immediately work towards agreeing as many fixed-term 15-hour contracts as possible so that those who are trusted with caring for the most vulnerable in our community are also treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve. The Minister for Health, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, has also been working closely with Unite the Union on this issue.

The Government is also pleased to announce plans for the Care Agency to provide a programme of skills for care, to offer training opportunities for Gibraltarians who wish to pursue care work as a vocation. This will enable Community Care Domiciliary Services Limited to have a further pool of individuals to draw from for future employment. Further information in this regard will be announced in due course.

The Minister for Health and Care, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said: "I’m delighted that the Government has been able to move quickly and decisively, together with Community Care, to ensure a smooth transition of care provision. I’d like to thank all those who have stepped up to provide this guarantee of the highest quality care for service users whilst also recognising the value of our care professionals. We have been working closely with Unite the Union throughout this process, and I am grateful for their collaborative approach to ensuring that staff are properly supported as we move forward. I want to thank the Trustees of Community Care for proposing this assistance to the Government with the best interests of elderly residents of Gibraltar in mind."