THE trust created to take over the home care service in Bexley has come under fire from users and carers working for it.

Following a story in last week's News Shopper, highlighting the problems suffered by one elderly man and his wife, the paper has been flooded with calls backing their complaints.

Carers, many who have worked for Bexley Council for years, say their new contracts with Care Plus Trust has

cut their pay for working on

weekends and public holidays.

Many are upset because the trust has reorganised the care areas which has meant clients they have cared for for years are now being looked after by other people.

One carer said: “They are like part of our families. We are only sticking with the trust for the sake of our clients.”

Another claimed the quality of care had dropped drastically since the trust took over last year.

She added: “The carers are suffering as well as our clients. The clients haven't got a say and they are too frightened to speak out. I used to be very proud to be a council worker. Now I feel I would rather clean the streets.”

Users of the service who have contacted the News Shopper have claimed the trust has refused to send female carers to look after female clients, say a carer arrived at 1.30pm to wake a client for breakfast and has been issuing incorrect bills.

A statement from Bexley Council on behalf of the trust contradicted many of the claims made by both clients and carers.

A spokesman said the trust was reorganising to make the service more flexible.

He said: “In almost all cases clients have been able to get the same carers.”

He denied staff transferred from Bexley's employment to the trust had been given new terms and conditions.

He also said it was the policy of the trust to provide a female carer if the client asked for one.