A HEALTH service which cares for about 50 elderly people in their own homes in York has been told it must improve.

The Clifton Moor-based Allied Healthcare, which cares for older people and people with dementia, has been told it requires improvement by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Staffing levels were poor at the time of the inspection in April and as a result carers could be late to arrive at peoples' homes, the CQC report states.

The report said: "Staffing levels were said to be impacting on the effectiveness of the service as calls were late and in some cases missed.

"Although people consistently told us that they liked the staff and were well cared for; we found that staffing levels were impacting on the care provided to people. There was little to evidence that people were involved in planning and discussing their own care preferences.

"People told us that when staff attended their visits on time they were treated with dignity and respect, however when they attended late this could impact on their dignity."

Inspectors said people spoke warmly about the staff and the care they gave.

While the majority said they were treated with dignity and kindness and felt safe, one person recounted: "I like the carers but not the way it's run. A few days ago I had to wait for six hours for a carer to come and help me to the toilet, that's far too long to wait. It's like that of a night time when the carers come to put me to bed after using the toilet. One night it was 11pm and there was no sign of them so my husband had to help me. Not long ago they missed my call completely."

Another person said their relative hadn't had a shower or their hair washed for weeks.

Staff also told inspectors they were continually asked to work on their days off.

Allied Healthcare has been asked to provide a report saying what they will do to: improve staffing, protect people against unnecessary risk, deliver person centred care and to govern the service adequately. No one was available when The Press tried to contact Allied Healthcare.