A homecare provider is looking to recruit 100 more members of staff “urgently required” for its Redhill branch in the face of an increase in the ageing local population.

Prestige Nursing + Care has announced it is looking to add “greatly” to its existing team at the newly-opened branch to allow them to meet the rising demand from across the area.

It said the ageing population is already straining existing care services.

Drawing on Office for National Statistics figures, Prestige, which employs 35 workers in the Redhill branch, who work with about 70 different clients providing around 3,500 hours of support a month, said that by 2021, the population aged 65 and over in Reigate and Banstead is expected to increase to 29,000.

The increase, it said, marks a hefty ten-year rise of 27% from 22,900 in 2011.

Prestige stated there is already a shortage of social care workers.

It continued that between 2012 and 2013, the median number of hours worked by carers increased from 30.9 to 31.5 – up 1.9%.

It said this demonstrated that carers are already taking on more work as the number of people requiring care grows.

Prestige has had a presence in the local area for almost 30 years, including 15 years in Reigate.

Its new branch is in Warwick Road, Redhill.

The agency was recently awarded the industry's Customer Service Excellence Award.

Jan Jones, branch manager of Prestige Nursing + Care Redhill, said: “Moving to Redhill comes at a hugely exciting time for Prestige as we continue to grow, following increased demand across the region.”

She said: “The scale of recruitment currently required is unparalleled for us and highlights the potential for the year ahead. “The needs of our clients are our top priority and we believe that moving the branch to Redhill, with its ongoing regeneration, will put us in the strongest position to attract and deliver the best talent to provide an excellent service to the people who require it. “Population projections for those who will be aged over 65 in just a few years show the scale of the potential shortage of carers in the near future unless this is addressed.”

She said: “By recruiting now we will be able to deliver a continued service and be better equipped to meet requirements in the longer term.”

Referring to the Reigate branch, she added: “We are delighted to be able to preserve the legacy of this historic branch, in the process, by building on its foundations and expanding the level of care that we are able to offer. “Throughout our history the Reigate branch has maintained great retention of staff, with many of our carers having been with us for over 20 years – something unusual for the care industry and that we endeavour, and expect, to continue at Redhill.”

The company said that the total of around 3,500 hours of support a month it provides is set to increase as the new members of staff come onboard, and the agency continues its progression.

It added Redhill offers the ideal location to attract the 100 new members of staff that are urgently required, thanks to its young demographic.

It said the town is also currently undergoing an extensive regeneration throughout its centre, driving many new businesses and employees to the area.

Prestige Nursing and Care has more than 60 years' experience in the nursing and care agency field, with more than 40 branches nationwide.

The range of homecare services spans from occasional relief care to 24-hour home nursing.

All Prestige Nursing branches are licensed as nurses and domiciliary care agencies by the Care Quality Commission and Care Inspectorate.