Four workers leave Caremark after sex chat scandal
Four disgraced staff have left Caremark in the wake of allegations that workers were conducting online sex chats from their office, the Express & Star can reveal.
The company, based at Green Lane, Walsall, confirmed one employee was sacked while three others resigned during the investigation on the back of a national newspaper sting operation, last month.
Kevin Lewis, chief executive of Caremark, said: "Caremark was so concerned about what had happened that we immediately sent a team in to carry out a full investigation.
"All four staff members involved have now left the business, three resigned during the investigation and one person was dismissed.
"I am still shocked and appalled by this unacceptable behaviour. But we have remained committed to our top priority which is the care of our clients, which was never compromised, and we have been working closely with the CQC (Care Quality Commission) and the local authority (Walsall Council) throughout this process.
"I take the professional conduct of all Caremark operations extremely seriously and my team acted swiftly and efficiently in holding those involved in this unfortunate and unpleasant incident to account."
It was claimed employees were advertising their services through online escorting websites, charging punters nearly £2 a minute for lewd internet video chats.
While footage showed two staff members posing topless whilst seemingly at work.
Initially Caremark confirmed two suspensions had been made and reassured that the company's clients had not been affected by the behaviour of the employees which was thought to have taken place in an administrative office.
Walsall Council's health chief, Ian Robertson, had called for a swift resolution and welcomed the latest developments.
He said: "It is great news. It was very important this was resolved as quickly as possible to give security for the people they look after.
"I am pleased that it has now been resolved.
"How they managed to slip through the net in the first place needs to be looked at.
"But now we must move forward. They are generally a good organisation and it is a pity this happened.
"Now we must stop it happening again."
Caremark provides home care and support services to people within their local communities.
From the office in Walsall it delivers services to people living all over the borough including Beechdale, Rushall, Bentley, Pelsall, Bloxwich, Caldmore, Darlaston, Shelfield, Pleck, Reedswood and Willenhall.
