AN elderly house-bound couple have had 148 different carers in just 16 months, the M.E.N can reveal.
Allied Healthcare sent the pensioners, who live in north Manchester, 15 people to look after them in the first five days of this year.
The company – whose treatment was slammed as ‘appalling’ by Blackley MP Graham Stringer – is now having its contract reviewed by council chiefs.
The woman, 72, is bed-ridden, while her husband, 66, suffers from respiratory complaints and cannot walk more than 10 metres without oxygen.
He said: “The staff do their best but some were useless and some were almost dangerous. I wouldn’t have some of them back in the house. One carer tried to put my wife’s hoist (over her bed) on upside down. Another thought it was electric. It’s like being told to let any old person off the street into your house.”
Allied has already been suspended once over the case – and council bosses are now considering whether to act again.
In total, the couple, who asked not to be named, had 148 carers since September 2008.
They said they were left feeling vulnerable and confused by the sheer number of carers calling at their door and claimed some staff struggled to use equipment needed to keep them mobile.
They said one Allied carer showed them a job sheet listing more than 100 calls he had to make in just three days over a holiday weekend.
Mr Stringer said: “The way this couple have been treated is appalling.
“I’m asking the council to investigate this case with a view to terminating Allied’s contract.
“It is simply unacceptable that the health and safety of constituents is put at risk in this way.”
Allied is one of Britain’s biggest care companies and has 10,000 staff across the country.
It claims it is ‘one of the leading providers of independent health and social care’ and ‘prides itself on providing consistently high-quality care’.
Operations director Robin Sidebottom told the M.E.N: “Clearly, it is unacceptable for a client to receive the number of different carers reported in this case and (the couple) did have an unusually high amount of care workers.
“However this is not typical of the service we deliver and more recently the number of care workers has vastly reduced.
“A typical care worker can attend as many as 35 visits per day. This is not unusual as many visits are 15 minutes in duration.”
Liz Bruce, strategic director for adult services at Manchester council, said: “It is a key priority for the council to ensure vulnerable residents receive the highest quality of care and support and this couple are no exception.
“For them to have 100 carers in this short period is clearly unacceptable. This was brought to our attention and we immediately suspended the company, Allied Healthcare.
“The council lifted the suspension after they agreed to make improvements. We are now reviewing our contract with Allied Healthcare.”
Showing comments 1 to 15 and replies | View All
chud1780, Burnage (21/01/2010 at 09:20)
blizzard, derbyshire (21/01/2010 at 09:40)
For any carer to make 35 calls in one day is just utterley unbelievable. What the hell do they expect them to do in such a short time? It is just appalling I can't believe it.
This company clearly only exists to make money, it cannot possibly have the care and safety of it's clients at interest. Disband these money making fraudsters now.
35 calls a day! I am just so angry I'm not going to say anymore.
Melandra (21/01/2010 at 10:23)
mike356 (21/01/2010 at 11:38)
tinawendy (21/01/2010 at 13:43)
ENGINEER, Heywood (21/01/2010 at 23:32)
When ever a carer has to go to someone new to them they should have to go with someone who has been going to that person so they can show them what needs to be done and how to use any equipment in the house.
Also there is the taking of medication, and I know from experience that some of these old and frail people cannot remember from day to day what medication they are on, or even what it is for so how do they expect a new carer to know.
I also agee they are paid a minimum wage, and some of them have not had a pay rise in 3 years although the fees to the caree have gone up every year.
Mr Mancunian, Sydney Australia (21/01/2010 at 23:43)
jon beadman (22/01/2010 at 11:36)
Robin Sidebottom (22/01/2010 at 20:14)
blizzard, derbyshire (24/01/2010 at 17:15)
I still believe that many of these care companies do exist as money making scams because some of these contracts can be very lucrative. They insist on paying such low hourly rates and employ many people who are still claiming benefits. I know this to be true. The way some of these companies operate is tantamount to criminal.
My own daughter did a stint as a carer for a well known care company but had to leave as she could not continue in the manner they expected her to. No training, low pay, long hours, and some of the people they employ you wouldn't let near a dog.
It will continue though. This country is happy to accept whatever is doled out.
blizzard, derbyshire (24/01/2010 at 17:16)
I doubt there will be a response.
Robin Sidebottom (24/01/2010 at 19:38)
Ann Onimus (26/01/2010 at 02:07)
blizzard, derbyshire (28/01/2010 at 16:12)
sue shaw (28/01/2010 at 19:37)
I have fed my experience of carers to LINk, an agency consulting carers in Manchester to improve health and social care services in Manchester. I would encourage others who are dissatisfied to contact valeska@blackhealthagency.org.uk who is compiling a report for Adult Social Care. They cannot help with individual issues but are hoping their influence will improve homecare services in Manchester.
We must do all we can to protect these vulnerable people. Many of them have no-one to fight their corner. And one day it could be you or I in need of a homecare agency!