A HOUSEBOUND pensioner says he was left distressed when he had to wait days for urgent sanitary items, which are available in supermarkets, because his carer is not responsible for their supply. Arthur King, 87, of Barking, who is hard of hearing and inco

A HOUSEBOUND pensioner says he was left distressed when he had to wait days for urgent sanitary items, which are available in supermarkets, because his carer is not responsible for their supply.

Arthur King, 87, of Barking, who is hard of hearing and incontinent, receives daily visits from his carer and regular supplies of sanitary pads via the community health service.

He contacted the POST on Thursday, saying he had run out of pads three days earlier, and had told his carer and a senior member of staff at Barking and Dagenham Council's adult and community services.

Mr King, who served in the Navy during World War Two, said: "I am very upset. I can't get anyone to listen to me properly. I ran out of pads three days ago and I'm still waiting."

He had been down to two pads, he added later.

"How much longer do they think they can leave me like this?" said Mr King

"I can't believe that they can leave a person in this state - it's shameful."

After a number of phone calls to the council and NHS Barking and Dagenham on Thursday, there had still not been a delivery.

On Thursday evening, the POST went to Mr King's home to give him a pack of incontinence pants, which were bought from a supermarket.

Mr King said: "At last. I cannot tell you how grateful I am. I have always done things myself, and it's really frustrating if I can't do things for myself."

A council spokesman said the carer is only responsible for daily chores, but can contact a district nurse from the community health service if any health-related issues arise.

Joanne Stevens, from the community health service, said the supply of the pads was made through a separate organisation that makes the order, although she would not disclose which one.

She said: "There is not much that I can say because of patient confidentiality.

"The pads have now been delivered. A district nurse has been contacted. We have looked into this and we are satisfied the main situation has been resolved.

"In any situation the patient's well-being is our primary concern."

She said the normal ordering process was followed and Mr King was due to be seen by a district nurse on Monday to ensure everything was running as it should. On Friday afternoon, Mr King said he had received the delivery.