AN ELDERLY care patient has defended an agency that was deemed ‘inadequate’ by inspectors.

The Care Quality Commission criticised staff at Alexios for missing or being late for appointments, and said that some relatives feared for the safety of their family members using the service.

However, Joan Ardis says she has been with the Chorley Old Road-based company, previously known as Carewatch, for several years and has nothing but praise for her carers.

The 84-year-old, from Horwich, said: “I have been with them for six and a half years and I have always been completely satisfied with them.

“The carers can’t do enough for you.

“I am thoroughly disabled, so my carer has to wash and dress me, get my breakfast, and things like that.

“She is absolutely marvellous.

“I feel very, very strongly about this — even when I used to have four visits a day instead of one, I did not have any problems.”

Earlier this week, a group of Alexios carers said they did not want to be ‘tarred with the same brush’ as others who have now left the company.

The care service has had its contract to provide care for 165 people through Bolton Council terminated, has been placed into special measures by the CQC, and will be inspected again within the next six months.