THE owners of a family run home care company have spoken of their ‘devastation’ after having to call time on the business after 22 years.

Sarum Home Care, based in Stanbridge Earls, Romsey, has informed both clients and staff that it will be entering administration at the start of April before ceasing to trade later in the month.

The care provider cited staffing issues over the past two years as the reason for the collapse, with both Covid and rising fuel prices compounding a difficult period for the care industry.

READ MORE: Hospitals in Hampshire see 'high levels of demand' after more than 150 patients test positive for Covid

According to the latest CQC report in 2018, the company offered care and support to some 49 people in the Romsey and Stockbridge area, with around 30 staff on its books at its peak.

In the same report, they were rated both ‘Good’ and ‘Excellent’ in all five key lines of the CQC’s enquiry: Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-Led.

In a joint statement, sisters and directors Kay Carpenter and Kim Osman and their mum, Mary, said: “Sarum Home Care was founded in August 2000, and we have lived and worked in the community we served. Unfortunately, over the past two years we have been unable to recruit enough care workers for the company to remain viable.

“We would like to thank our dedicated office management and senior team for their loyal support and our wonderful carers, too, they have been the bedrock of the company.

“We will miss the close bond we have formed with the lovely people we have been providing care and support to.

SEE ALSO: Dogstival moving from Burley Park to Broadlands

“As a small local family business, we are personally devastated, and it is with great sadness and a heavy heart we will cease to trade on April 24.”

In the mean time, the staff, managers and directors at Sarum are continuing to provide care as the deadline approaches.

Hampshire County Council was contacted for comment, but had yet to respond as the Romsey Advertiser went to print.