A WOMAN with serious health problems claims a home help service - arranged by City of York Council - has repeatedly let her down.

Karima Hallett, of Church Close, Askham Bryan, says she suffered an angina attack while vacuuming her house because a carer had failed to do it.

The 61-year-old suffers from severe asthma, emphysema, and heart disease and is on constant chemotherapy to treat bone marrow disease.

She needs a home help once a week to change bed sheets and get rid of dust which aggravates her condition.

But she claims a carer, who was arranged by the council through an accredited firm, failed to turn up three weeks ago. The following Friday another home help only stayed for an hour - leaving the carpets dirty, Karima claimed.

"The final straw was last week when a carer had to leave her work's Christmas party to come because no one had shown up," she said.

"I tried to phone the council all day to get something done. It's making me unwell and very anxious.

"I never know if they are coming." The Evening Press reported in April how Karima was concerned she might be unable to live in her own home if the council stopped providing her with a subsidised cleaning service. But community service chiefs continued with it on medical grounds.

Joanne Purdie, of City of York Council's community services, said: "I visited Ms Hallett on 16 December to clarify a number of issues of complaint. For reasons of confidentiality it is not possible for me to provide specific detail without Ms Hallett's consent, but we will be responding to her issues in accordance with the social care complaints procedure.

"Ms Hallett does have daily contact with staff in community services, and it is recognised that her needs are complex and range across a number of areas.

"She has been assessed for various types of community support and currently receives a weekly visit and telephone help as required.

"A service manager will be contacting her in the coming days to discuss the matter further."

Updated: 10:15 Friday, December 20, 2002