A new 15-year contract has been agreed between Hertfordshire County Council and a company which provides care for elderly people across the county.

Quantum Care is the single largest supplier of care home services to the authority. Around 840 Hertfordshire residents are cared for, with 26 of the company's homes providing half of all dementia places in the county.Mark Lobban, of the council's adult care services department, said: "Quantum Care has consistently provided a high level of care for our service users and we are confident that they will continue to do so for many years to come."This agreement will ensure continuity of service and guarantee that there will not be any reduction in capacity. "It will also allow us to improve the facilities available for residential, nursing and dementia care across the county."The contract includes a property agreement, which will allow extensions and upgrades to existing homes and development of new ones should when required.Maria Ball, Quantum Care chief executive, said: "I am extremely pleased that this new care contract has been agreed. "It will enable us to continue to provide high quality, specialist care for older people across the whole county, and to develop what has been a very successful and effective partnership."This has been a groundbreaking relationship, particularly in the provision of dementia care services, and this new phase will bring even more innovation and an even higher quality of care for those most vulnerable in our county."