Pembrokeshire-based home care provider, Care in Hand has expanded its business operations by opening a second premise in West Wales.

The family-run business, which has been operating in the county for more than 10 years, officially launched its new office in Pembroke Dock this week with the Mayor of Pembroke Dock, Clr. Peter Kraus, local MP Simon Hart and representatives from the health care sector and local authority.

The expansion will help build on the success of Care in Hand's Saundersfoot head office, where the company has been operating since 2007.

The company, which specialises in providing home care and support services, currently employs more than 100 people, of which 30 are from the Pembroke area, from carers and qualified medical nurses to office staff.

As part of the new venture, the company hopes to create 200 new jobs over the next two years by expanding its reach to Milford Haven and Haverfordwest and developing its service offering particularly in live in care and nursing complex care.

Care in Hand is currently one of eight care providers of social care support listed on Pembrokeshire County Council care provision framework and cares in excess of 200 clients in the county. The company estimates it could support up to 200 new clients through the expansion.

Delan Umanee, founder and managing director of Care in Hand, who runs the business alongside his wife, a registered nurse and the company's quality assurance director Sheena Umanee, said: "We are delighted to be opening our second office in Pembroke Dock.

"Home care provides many benefits to residential and nursing care and by opening this office we hope to be able to widen our reach to support more people across the county and to grow develop job opportunities in Pembrokeshire.

"Faced with an ever-ageing population, it is important to address the nation's changing care needs. We need to encourage greater independence in the home to ease pressure on hospitals and care homes while also recognising the importance of allowing people to choose to stay at home to receive the care and support they need."

Simon Hart, MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, said: "Care in Hand is an enormously important service for many people in the county and I am delighted that they are expanding the business. The new jobs will be very welcome, so this is a success story for Pembroke Dock."

Pembrokeshire County Councillor Simon Hancock, cabinet member for adult services and equalities, said: "We wish Care in Hand every success in its new venture."

Care in Hand was recently awarded the Healthmark ISO 9001 certification for achieving quality excellence in its services, becoming the only care provider in South West Wales to receive the industry accolade to date.

At the event, certificates were handed out in recognition of positive attitude to care, outstanding commitment to care, commitment to training and development, reliability in care and enthusiasm in care showcasing the quality of care provided.

Eight members of staff were awarded for their ongoing hard work, including Tom Ellis, Charlotte Evenden, Sophie Lowe, Sian Turner, Rachael Bird, Denise Davies, Donna Garland.

Charlotte Evenden, community carer at Care in Hand, has recently been promoted to team leader.

She said: "I am so happy to have been awarded the certificate in recognition of positive attitude to care. The training I received at Care in Hand was perfect for me as a new starter in the care sector. I'm very grateful to have been recognised for doing a job I love and feel is so rewarding."

The company also works closely with Hywel Dda Health Board providing nursing and social care support where required, an area of increasing development for the company.