VULNERABLE clients of a city care provider are having their care slashed by as much as 50 per cent over the holidays.

Some of Cordia's clients will see a drop in the number of visits, or a change in their regular carers, over the festive season.

A number of concerned residents contacted the Evening Times, worried about how they will cope providing care to their elderly or infirm relatives.

Linda Smith, from the Gallowgate, has accused the firm of ignoring her 83-year-old mother's needs over the festive season.

Her elderly mum Susan is bed bound and suffers from delirium, making it very difficult for her to adjust to strangers and changes in routine.

Linda said her previous regular carers were only changed four weeks ago, but the family now face having different staff again over the holidays as their usual carers are off work.

She said: "My mum just doesn't cope well with new staff and we've only just had new carers in, who have got used to everything she needs and she's got used to them.

"When the old ones left my mum was crying, she was so upset.

"They can't even offer us just one regular carer. All the people we usually have are on holiday so everyone will be new, they won't know my mum's needs when they arrive."

Jean Findlay, 93, is bed bound and suffers severe mobility problems after having a stroke five years ago.

The pensioner from Newton Mearns lives with her daughter Avril, 71, who has her own health difficulties and is unable to lift her mum out of bed and care for her fully.

Jean receives four visits a day from carers who help to clean her, get her dressed and ensure she eats a proper meal.

However Cordia told the family they would only be providing a morning and evening visits, leaving the pensioner stranded in bed for up to eight hours during the day.

Avril said: "It's unbelievable. My mum is incontinent for a start, she sometimes has accidents and they can't just expect her to sit there in her own mess.

"I can't use the hoist, I have health problems and my husband is nearly 80.

"I just don't know how we will manage."

Other residents have told of how they have had their care levels halved over the holiday period when a number of Cordia's care staff are off work.

A spokesman for the care firm said: "We will have 500 home care staff working hard on each of the six public holidays over the festive period - carrying out more than 45,000 home visits across Glasgow.

“This is a process which takes place every year, and to ensure we have adequate provision over the holidays, we posted letters to 6,200 service users on November 20 advising them of potential alterations to their service pattern as friends or family are often available for support during this period.

"After consultation with families of service users, a second letter was distributed setting out specific changes.

"As with any other organisation, we tailor our capacity over Christmas accordingly, prioritising based upon specific needs – particularly to the most vulnerable.

"Susan Smith was always going to have four visits, however they will not be carried out by her usual carers because they are leave on that day.

"In the case of Jean Findlay, our area manager has re-examined her resources and can now provide lunchtime visits."