A CARE company has been slammed by inspectors after patients complained staff let themselves into their homes uninvited and reports were made of money and bank cards going missing.

Delta Care Trafford, which provides home care for mental health and eating disorder patients, has been placed in special measures after it received and ‘inadequate’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Patients raised concerns about staff letting themselves into properties without permission and a member of staff reported people’s bank cards going missing, according to the CQC.

The firm says it is ‘disappointed’ with the CQC rating as it does not feel it is a ‘true reflection of our service.’

Inspectors found patients thought most staff were kind and caring and risk assessments of all properties where care is provided were carried out effectively.

But the service was rated ‘inadequate’ overall, with ‘inadequate’ ratings for safety and leadership and ‘requires improvement’ ratings for effectiveness, caring service and responsiveness.

Delta Care provided care for one child and 58 adults at the time of the inspection last November.

A Delta Care spokesman said: "We were naturally disappointed with the report. We believe the report is not a true reflection of our service.

"As a provider we have six home care locations and all other locations are rated at ‘good’. We are working closely with the council and CQC to ensure all identified items are rectified.”