Husband has hit out at a care provider over the way his housebound wife is being treated

Alan Lungley, 84, say that staff from Allied Health Care frequently turn up late and sometimes only send out one carer when two are required.

His wife Phyllis, 80, has a string of serious health complaints.

She has suffered four strokes, has dementia, a prolapse, is doubly incontinent and has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Phyllis needs round the clock care and has carers coming in four times a day to change her and put her to bed at night.

Alan, who lives with his wife of 60 years in the former manse at Ladyburn Church in Shankland Road, is unhappy with the service being provided.

He said: "They turned up an hour and a half late one Sunday morning and 40 minutes late at dinner time.

"Phyllis is lying 14 hours a day in bed.

"If they are an hour and a half late she is lying in wet clothes.

"It causes Phyllis discomfort and if she gets bedsores it can be quite serious at her age.

"Then there were three days when four carers turned up one person short.

"It's illegal for them to turn up on their own.

"Phyllis has to be hoisted."

The grandfather says he has taken up these issues with both Allied management and the social work department but nothing has been done.

He stresses that he doesn't have a complaint against the carers themselves, but the management and 'last minute' schedules they have to follow.

He said: "The carers are brilliant.

"It's the fact they can turn up at any time."

Mr Lungley, who served with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and was a project manager for a pressed metal company locally, has also raised complaints about finding a used pad and pull up pants in his washing.

He said: "I complained to Allied Healthcare and I was told there were no bags to dispose of them.

"I have loads of bags in the shower room.

"They just don't care."

Mr Lungley says the stress of his wife's condition and constantly having to complain about things that are not right, are taking its toll and the cancer diagnosis has been the final straw.

He said: "Sometimes she had eight different carers in one day.

"Phyllis has dementia, sees a strange face and doesn't like it.

"The doctors, the social work and Allied Healthcare all say that Phyllis needs consistency.

"I don't think Allied Healthcare can spell it never mind do it."

The pensioner claims he has also been warned off about approaching to the Tele.

He said: "I was told they would kick Phyllis off Allied Healthcare's list if I went to the Telegraph and no other care provider would touch us.

"I've also been told by the social work department and Allied to change my care provider.

"I ain't changing.

"I'm staying put to speak up for all these other people who are being treated like this.

"It's the council's fault for contracting the work out and paying carers the minimum wage."

A spokesperson for Allied Healthcare Greenock said: “We are currently looking into the matter raised by Mr and Mrs Lungley to improve the quality of care received.

"We endeavour to provide continuity of care of a high standard to all our customers and aim to continually improve our services based on the feedback we receive from patients, their family and our staff.”

A spokesman for Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership said: “It would be inappropriate for us to discuss the detail of the care anyone receives.

"Our aim when disagreements come up will always be to work with service providers and residents to try to find a solution.

"Where that can’t happen, there are formal complaints open to residents who continue to be unhappy with the care received.”