Key Points
- Ranis Healthcare Limited, a domiciliary care provider for adults with dementia and disabilities in Cambridgeshire, has improved from an “inadequate” rating to “requires improvement” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
- The firm, with Conservative Cambridgeshire County Councillor Leedo George as a director, is no longer in special measures but remains in breach of governance regulations.
- Improvements noted in person-centred care, risk management, safeguarding, staffing, and safe recruitment, with a new management team and full review of systems in place.
- Service users reported better care quality recently, with one stating: “They have stepped up in the last few months. There have been improvements in the way they work.”
- Councillor George described the change as “progress, but it is not the finish line,” and in a social media post said navigating challenges at Ranis has given him “a deeper, first-hand understanding of the pressures facing the social care system.”
- The council’s contract with Ranis began two years before George joined the authority in May 2025.
- Previous “inadequate” rating in summer 2025 (assessment February-April 2025) due to six breaches: person-centred care, safe care and treatment, safeguarding, governance, staffing, safe recruitment; no registered manager; poor harm protection systems.
- Earlier issues included late visits, rushed appointments, inconsistent staffing, unsafe medicine management, inadequate training, ignored feedback; relatives called it a “rudderless ship.”
- Liberal Democrats, led by Councillor Jo Harvey, called for George’s resignation in September 2025 over the “inadequate” rating and special measures.
- Council suspended new placements with Ranis in April 2025, continues monitoring and support for improvements.
- Ranis appealed a CQC notice to revoke registration in December 2025.
Cambridgeshire (Cambridge Tribune) March 17, 2026 – Ranis Healthcare Limited, the domiciliary care firm directed by Cambridgeshire County Council’s Conservative Councillor Leedo George, is no longer rated “inadequate” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) but still “requires improvement,” marking progress from special measures imposed last summer.
- Key Points
- What Led to Ranis Healthcare’s Original ‘Inadequate’ Rating?
- Why Was Ranis Healthcare Placed in Special Measures?
- How Did Political Controversy Erupt Over Leedo George?
- What Actions Did Ranis Take After the CQC Criticism?
- Which Breaches Persist Despite Improvements?
- What Is the Timeline of Events for Ranis Healthcare?
- How Does This Reflect Broader Social Care Challenges?
The latest CQC assessment confirms the service has addressed breaches in person-centred care, risk management, safeguarding, staffing, and safe recruitment, though governance regulations remain violated. A new management team is in place, and a full review of systems and processes has occurred. People using the service noted visible enhancements, with the CQC reporting:
“People told us they had seen improvements in the quality of care provided by Ranis Healthcare Limited. A person told us: ‘They have stepped up in the last few months. There have been improvements in the way they work.'”
Councillor George welcomed the upgrade, stating:
“The transition from ‘inadequate’ to ‘requires improvement’ is progress, but it is not the finish line.”
When contacted by the BBC, he pointed to a social media post where he elaborated:
“Navigating the challenges at Ranis Healthcare has, in many ways, given me a deeper, first-hand understanding of the pressures facing the social care system knowledge I intend to use to advocate for better services.”
What Led to Ranis Healthcare’s Original ‘Inadequate’ Rating?
The CQC’s initial assessment, conducted from 25 February to 16 April 2025 in response to management concerns, rated Ranis Healthcare “inadequate” overall, with “requires improvement” only in the “Caring” category. Inspectors identified six regulatory breaches: person-centred care, safe care and treatment, safeguarding, governance, staffing, and safe recruitment.
As detailed in the CQC report,
“Systems and processes to ensure people were protected from the risk of harm were poor and inefficient. There was no oversight from the provider to ensure staff supported people safely, in a timely manner and in a way that met their needs.”
Staff lacked full training and competency assessments in key areas, medicines were not managed safely, and monitoring/governance was ineffective. Feedback from people, relatives, and staff was not used for improvements.
Relatives expressed frustration, with one describing the service as a “rudderless ship” and another saying: “They never call back it’s like shouting into a void.” People experienced late visits, shortened appointments, and inconsistent staffing, though some praised individual carers as “kind” or “funny.” The CQC placed the service in special measures to enforce significant improvements or risk closure.
Why Was Ranis Healthcare Placed in Special Measures?
Special measures were imposed following the February-April 2025 inspection, as the CQC deemed leaders lacked “the skills, knowledge, experience and credibility to lead effectively, and they did not do so with integrity, openness and honesty,” according to the report cited by CambsNews. No registered manager was in post at the time.
Cambridgeshire County Council responded swiftly, suspending new placements on April 23, 2025 nine days before local elections and confirming no new placements while in special measures. A council spokesperson stated:
“We have taken steps to reduce any risk to the people who draw on care and support provided by Ranis Healthcare, and we are supporting them in making the changes required, as identified in the CQC report and outlined in their action plan… We continue to be in regular communication with the CQC on the matter.”
The council’s four-year contract with Ranis, for adult home care, began in 2023 two years before George’s May 2025 election. A BBC Freedom of Information request revealed allegations of delayed wages and unsigned contracts.
How Did Political Controversy Erupt Over Leedo George?
Local Liberal Democrats demanded Councillor Leedo George’s resignation shortly after the “inadequate” rating emerged. District Councillor Jo Harvey, who lost to George by four votes (703-699) in the tight Huntingdon North and Hartford election, said:
“This report is damning. County councillors have a responsibility for some of the most vulnerable people in our county in the social care system. The fact that Cllr George’s own care company falls so far short of the standards our residents expect us to meet raises serious questions about his suitability to serve.”
Harvey added that holding public office while directing a firm in special measures was “untenable” and urged him to “put residents first” by stepping aside. The Lib Dems highlighted a conflict of interest, given the council’s contract. George, elected in May 2025, responded to the BBC:
“I am taking it seriously. I am pretty sure we’ll be back on track, and we are working closely with the council to put things right.”
In September 2025, Hunts Lib Dems reiterated calls for George to quit after the “damning” CQC report.
What Actions Did Ranis Take After the CQC Criticism?
Post-inspection, Ranis implemented a new management team and reduced its patient load, as George noted optimistically for a “favourable outcome” after re-inspection. In December 2025, following a CQC “notice of decision” to revoke registration, Ranis appealed to a first-tier tribunal.
The council continued support, holding regular meetings and communicating with the CQC. By the latest assessment, changes were “ongoing” but “yet to be fully embedded,” with the CQC acknowledging user-reported improvements.
Which Breaches Persist Despite Improvements?
While no longer breaching person-centred care, risk management, safeguarding, staffing, or safe recruitment, Ranis remains in violation of governance regulations. The CQC described improvements as “a work in progress,” with some changes not fully embedded.
Earlier governance issues included ineffective monitoring and failure to use identified problems for drive improvements. The CQC will continue close monitoring, with potential enforcement if progress stalls.
What Is the Timeline of Events for Ranis Healthcare?
- 2023: Council awards four-year contract to Ranis.
- February-April 2025: CQC inspection finds “inadequate” rating, six breaches; special measures imposed (report updated 26 February).
- 23 April 2025: Council suspends new placements.
- May 2025: George elected councillor.
- Summer 2025: “Inadequate” rating formalised; CQC press release on action.
- September 2025: Lib Dems call for resignation.
- December 2025: Ranis appeals revocation notice.
- March 2026: Reassessment upgrades to “requires improvement”; exits special measures.
How Does This Reflect Broader Social Care Challenges?
The case underscores pressures on domiciliary care providers, including staff shortages, rising costs, and demand from ageing populations with complex needs. Campaigners note private providers’ fragility but stress no excuses for failings. George positions his experience to advocate system-wide improvements.
Lib Dems call for stronger council oversight of contractors. The CQC emphasises special measures’ role in enforcing standards.
