A DISABLED woman who was left vulnerable in her own home after care workers forgot to lock her door fears people like her are being abandoned by the county council.

The woman, who asked not to be named, cannot get out of bed without the assistance of a care worker after suffering horrific injuries in a car crash.

She relies on the help of care workers, either employed by the county council or working for a county employed agency, to do almost everything.

But on several occasions she says has been left stranded in her bed after agency care workers forgot to visit her.

And when they do turn up, many don't even have basic skills, such as how to hoist a disabled person out of bed, the woman claims.

The anguished patient, who is in her late 20s and lives in Leyland, is having to rely on friends more and more.

She said: "Even when the carers do turn up, they sometimes do more harm than good.

"One got me out of bed and put me in my lounge and said they would leave the door off the catch for when another carer comes because otherwise she wouldn't be able to get in.

"The other carer never came so I was left, stuck in my home, feeling unsafe because anyone could have wandered in."

She added: "I hate having to ask my friends even though I know they don't mind. I shouldn't have to ask.

"We have been told the county council is pulling out of this sort of care and handing it to private companies. This would be a disaster.

"Many of the agency carers haven't a clue. It looks as if anyone can get a job as a carer and it makes my life worse than it already is. It is as if they don't give a damn about us and treat us like a nuisance."

Lancashire County Council said it was unable to comment.

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