A woman is taking action against Southend Council after claiming her carers are treating her "like a lump of meat".

Angelina Kavanagh, 50, of Quantock Flats, Chichester Road, said staff from Ashley Care, contracted by the council to visit her three times a day, rush through their work and fail to show her respect.

Ms Kavanagh, who lives alone and suffers from emphysema, a punctured lung, diabetes and high blood pressure, also claimed that carers left her with a faulty catheter, causing her to suffer from painful bedsores.

Suffering : Angelina Kavanagh, taking action against Southend Council Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

She said: "I feel like a lump of meat basically. There is a lack of communication because I ring up and ask where my carer is when they are late and they never ring back.

"There have been nights I have had to sleep in my wheelchair because I can't get hold of anyone."

Vivienne Storey, proprietor of Ashley Care Consultants, said: "We work to specific guidelines on what we can and can't do.

"Any medical care such as replacement of her catheter would have to be carried out by nursing staff.

"We have achieved what we have been asked to do for Angelina Kavanagh.

"If she feels she is not happy she should get in touch with social services. If her care is insufficient we can always talk to social services and we will deliver whatever care they ask us to do."

A Southend Council spokesman said: "The home care service is provided by our contractor.

"While we cannot go into details of individual cases, anyone who has a concern about the service can complain through the correct procedures to the council's social care department."

Published Thursday, January 16, 2003

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