NURSING and domiciliary agency Lucas Love Healthcare has posted increased profits following a management buy out.
In its latest end of year results, the company reported an increase in profits of 40 per cent on the previous 12 months.
Last year, company directors Sinead Polland and Susanne Ritchie took over the running of the agency which provides employment to nurses, care assistants and support workers across Northern Ireland.
During the year, the firm also received a 100 per cent commendation from the RQIA - the north's independent health and social care regulator.
Director and registered nurse manager Sinead Polland said: "2013 was a tremendous year for Lucas Love Healthcare, with highlights for our team including launches of Access NI services and a dedicated e-Learning College as well the addition of two new team members and an extensive PR and marketing campaign following our takeover of the company.
"Our first year holding the reins saw us solidify Lucas Love Healthcare's role as the recruitment provider of choice within the Northern Ireland care sector. Nurses, care assistants and support workers continue to work for us in an array of settings across the province and our bank of high quality staff increased by 24 per cent in the final months of 2013."
"As the healthcare industry becomes more about profit, turnover, and efficiency, it is important to always make our care workers and the patients they help our utmost priority."
Susanne Ritchie, a chartered accountant said: "As an agency our nursing cover is the highest in Northern Ireland and saw a 33 per cent increase in the first quarter of 2014. We strive to continue to grow Lucas Love Healthcare in our next year by maintaining our high standards of care for both our employees as well as those they care for."
Looking ahead, Ms Polland said: "Plans for Lucas Love Healthcare's sixth year in business include further development of our online training with exciting and innovative techniques required for care in modern settings as well as further growth of our team. We have recently hired our first apprentice and will soon be launching a new division within the business, 'Control your Care,' which will allow service users to control and pay for their NHS funded care through our agency."
* 'TREMENDOUS YEAR': Sinead Polland, right, director and registered nurse manager of Lucas Love Healthcare with fellow director Susanne Ritchie