DISABLED Wilburton villager Jan Morris fears cuts to her care package have left her vulnerable. Miss Morris, 62, who lives alone, is worried that if she falls she could be left unable to get help for up to 48 hours after her weekend care was withdrawn. C

DISABLED Wilburton villager Jan Morris fears cuts to her care package have left her

vulnerable.

Miss Morris, 62, who lives alone, is worried that if she falls she could be left unable to get help for up to 48 hours after her weekend care was withdrawn.

Cuts in her weekday care also leaves her alone and without assistance for much of the time and she fears she will not be able to cope.

"I'm just a number," she said. "I don't count for more than that. They are trying to save money at all costs. This has left me feeling very alone and vulnerable."

Until last Monday, Miss Morris, of Lucas Court, who suffers from arthritis in her back and hips, was receiving help twice a day for seven days each week.

Her carer would help to get her out of bed in the morning and sometimes make her breakfast. Then she would return in the evening to make sure she had tea and get her into bed.

Miss Morris often falls because of her condition and, if this happened, her carer would visit three times a day.

She would help with Miss Morris' shopping, peg out her washing and collect her prescriptions from the doctors' surgery in Haddenham.

But now her care has been handed over to an agency and she will receive help for just one hour, five days a week.

"I can't get out to pick up my prescriptions or do my shopping," said Miss Morris. "There is no back-up if I get ill and if I fall I am worried I will lay on the floor and no-one will know.

"I don't have any family and my neighbour has moved away. I won't see a soul from one morning to the next."

Health provider Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health Partnership Trust has commissioned agency care packages under a Government directive to save money.

A trust spokesman said: "Miss Morris receives a package of care from a local care agency which is based on a recent review of her mental health needs.

"The package will be kept under review and will increase or decrease to meet Miss Morris' needs.

"She has recently been informed of a change in the provider of her care package and is concerned about these changes. It has been arranged, therefore, that the previous care provider will work alongside the new care provider to enable a smooth transition.

"Miss Morris will continue to be monitored by the local Community Mental Health Team to ensure that her needs are being met.