In healthcare, there’s no such thing as a slow day. But for one care home in South West England, things went from busy to critical in less than 12 hours.
Their issue? A sudden outbreak of flu among staff left over 40% of their scheduled team unable to work. With 30 vulnerable residents to care for and a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection looming, they needed urgent help—and fast.
That’s when they called GC&C Group Limited.
“We were genuinely panicking. It was past 6 PM and we had no night cover for our dementia ward. GC&C was the only agency that picked up the phone—and acted immediately.”
— Elaine R., Care Home Manager
The Challenge
- 7 team members are off sick
- No internal bank staff available
- Critical night shifts unfilled
- Potential safeguarding concerns for vulnerable residents
- A CQC inspection is due within 72 hours
The home had used agencies before, but found them unreliable—either charging premium rates or sending staff with no care experience. They needed more than warm bodies. They needed trained, compassionate professionals who could step in confidently, even under pressure.
How We Responded
6:40 PM: We received the emergency call.
6:45 PM: Our staffing coordinator gathered details and shift requirements.
7:10 PM: We began checking availability from our pool of fully vetted HCAs and RMNs.
8:15 PM: We confirmed the first two staff members for the 10 PM–7 AM shift.
9:00 PM: Uniformed, briefed, and ready—our team arrived on-site.
But we didn’t stop there.
Over the next 48 hours, we:
- Covered 100% of the missed shifts
- Sent the same consistent workers to ensure continuity of care
- Provided a senior team member for on-site supervision
- Delivered full compliance documentation to reassure the CQC team
The Outcome
- Zero resident complaints
- No safeguarding issues reported
- CQC visit passed with commendation on agency staff performance
- The manager extended bookings with us for the next 2 weeks
- GC&C is now listed as their preferred staffing partner
Why It Worked
- We maintain a live pool of fully trained, DBS-checked, and ready-to-deploy care staff.
- Our 24/7 support line means we respond in real-time, not just during office hours.
- We prioritise relationship-building, not just shift-filling.
- Our team treats every placement as an extension of our brand and your care standards.
Your Emergency is Our Everyday Excellence
Whether it’s a sudden staffing gap, a CQC emergency, or long-term cover you can’t afford to get wrong, GC&C Group Limited is here for you.
📧 info@gcandcgrouplimited.co.uk
📞 +44 7393 151183
Let’s create safer, stronger care environments—together.