A HEALTHCARE firm has pulled the plug on caring for a stroke victim after seven years.

Allied Healthcare told Patricia McIntyre that her expectations are too high and they can’t provide the level of care she wants for her husband James.

Patricia, 58, of Iona Road, Port Glasgow, claims they are terminating the contract because she has complained about aspects of his personal care she wasn’t happy about.

She told the Telegraph: “They say that I am too pernickety.

“I have had issues over the years with carers not doing this or that right and I did have to speak to the manager about one particular carer on three occasions

“What if James didn’t have me to speak up for him?

“What if there is an elderly person living on their own who does not have anyone to speak for them?

“The social work department have told me that Allied Care can’t provide the level of care I’m looking for.

“If they are not doing the job properly, I have every right to complain.

“This is not just for James but for other clients as well.”

Mr McIntyre, who is 65, suffered a major stroke in 2011 and it has affected the right and left side of his body.

He needs around the clock care and is mostly confined to his bed.

Two carers come in four times a day to shower, feed and help him get to the toilet, into his pyjamas and back to bed.

Patricia, who feeds her husband at dinner time, says she has everything prepared for the carers coming in, including a breakfast and lunch tray, clean clothes and towels.

She was unhappy after James developed a sore on his hand which she said was missed by carers who shower him every day.

She said: “James had a pressure point hole in his hand where his fingers were digging into the palm.

“It was embarrassing for me when I had to ask for district nurses to come in.

“I knew it needed a dressing on it.

“Why wasn’t this seen when they were showering him?

“It was negligence in his personal care.”

A second issue was a catheter tube being placed under her husband’s leg which meant urine wasn’t going into his overnight colostomy bag.

Patricia said: “It could have back-tracked into his heart. One night the overnight bag opened and left a puddle on my carpet.”

The final issue was when her husband’s feet became swollen, as if he had banged his foot, and this wasn’t noticed.

She said: “I worked as a carer in Marchmont House for 25 years.

“If you’re not a caring person, you shouldn’t take the job on.”

A spokesperson for Allied Care said: “The branch is currently providing care to 150 customers and this is the first package they have taken the decision to end in six years.

“All attempts had been made to address the concerns raised by Ms McIntyre, unfortunately the branch felt that they had no other alternative but to communicate to the service user that we needed to cease providing care.

“Due to the nature of work in which Allied Healthcare operate we are unable to comment on an individual customer concerns.”

A council spokesman said: “We have tried to help resolve the situation and will continue to work with the family.”