Castlerock Care Services has opened offices in Gateshead and London after winning a master  vendor contract for Four Seasons Health Care, now being rolled out across the England and Wales.  

Castlerock Care Services was appointed as the primary master Vendor to Four Seasons Health Care in August 2008, to supply all its  temporary nursing and healthcare staff at their care homes (around 250 in total) throughout England and Wales. Castlerock is working with up to 20 recruiters.

In the year before signing this contract, Four Seasons Health Care spent £5.6m on temporary staff and worked with more than 200 agencies.

Ian Munro, managing director of Castlerock, says: “Four Seasons Health Care see numerous cost and efficiency saving benefits from contracting with Castlerock Care Services.  These include,  but are not limited to, lower investment in temporary staffing, reduced administration,  reassurance of quality and compliance at all times.

“It will assist our rapid organic growth over the next 12 months. As a result of the contract success we have opened an office in Gateshead and London to support the requirements.”

Jo Ivison, branch manager at the new Gateshead office, adds: “Given the current economic climate and nationwide despondency, the opening of this branch is extremely positive on both regional and national levels.  

“Not only are we providing jobs during a time of increasing unemployment, but we are also providing the highest calibre staff to an industry in which standards really are a matter of life and death.”