Anger over 9 carers in just 2 weeks for pensioner.

Byline: BARRY GIBSON

BLIND pensioner Bill Alderson has had a string of new carers following controversial rota changes - and says the system is not as good as the one it replaced.

The Skelmanthorpe 89-year-old needs help preparing food.

Bill has been used to having two carers - Jean and Julie - who have helped him for the past three years.

But in the last two weeks the retired Yorkshire Water Board inspector has had seven new carers knock at his door.

Your view? Text: Exletters to Bill said: "This new system is a dead loss. I don't know why Kirklees Council changed the system, no-one's better off."

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Bill, who lives alone, pays pounds 85 a month for a daily visit from a carer.

He said: "They come at dinner time, take a frozen meal out of my freezer, microwave it and then put it on a plate for me. They also make a teacake and a pudding for me and leave it on the worktop for my tea."

Bill has got to know his carers, Jean and Julie, who live in Denby Dale.

He said: "One of the main things for me is that we have a chat because I live alone. We talk about their families, their husbands and their children."

Kirklees altered its carers' work rotas at the start of this month to deal with growing demand.

Jean and Julie still occasionally visit Bill - but he has also had a succession of new helpers.

He said: "I've had seven new carers in the last two weeks - I never know who's coming.

A new person comes and I have to show them where the plates are.

"There's nothing wrong with the new people, but you get used to someone. I'm also worried about my security as I don't know who is at the door."

Bill added that many of his new carers don't live locally. He said: "They are coming a long way from Dalton, Waterloo and Lepton. I thought the Government wanted to reduce petrol use."

84080 examiner.co.uk examiner.co.uk A Kirklees spokeswoman defended the new rota system.

She said: "We have been working for some time on improvements to the home care service. This is being done to ensure the services will be fully flexible and responsive to the demands of an ageing population.

"There are a series of changes taking place that have resulted in some people's care arrangements altering from one or two people to a team of carers offering support. All home care staff are fully trained and are experienced at developing new relationships to deliver high-quality care.

"We recognise this may be difficult for some people and we are working hard to monitor the situation looking for areas where we can improve and making adjustments as quickly as possible.

"Anyone with concerns should contact the home care service on 01484 223 015 so that appropriate actions can be taken."

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* WHO CARES?: Skelmanthorpe man Bill Alderson (PC121009Aalderson-