A CARE agency which ploughs its profits back into a hospice has signed up to a national drive aimed at improving the quality of services.

Martlets Care, which provides specialist help and support to patients in their own homes, was set up by the Martlets Hospice in Hove.

The agency has committed to the Government's social care commitment scheme, which is targeted at all providers of adult social care and their employees in England.

It is a voluntary agreement which ensures people will always be looked after by skilled staff and be treated with dignity and respect.

Employers promise to give workers the development they need and staff promise to put social care values into practice in their daily work.