A RETIRED teacher who cares full-time for his wife was told she would no longer be offered respite care by a Malvern residential home.

The decision left 72-year-old Raymond Bishop without a vital break from 24-hours-a-day caring for his wife Patience, who has Alzheimer’s disease. Mr Bishop, of Frederick Road, Malvern Link, has been looking after Patience since she began exhibiting signs of dementia in 2002.

Howbury Lodge, run by Worcestershire County Council, allowed him to take a break of a week or two every few months. But following a two-week stint at the Pickersleigh Grove home in October, Mr Bishop was called in for an “assessment meeting” with senior managers and told his wife could not return.

He said: “I was told that they could not take her because she was too difficult. It is something that will go on happening until they get more staff.

“I’m looking after her 24 hours a day. Cooking, cleaning, washing her and changing her. I have to have a break from the pressure.”

Mrs Bishop had previously played an active role in society, teaching sports and delivering meals-on-wheels, but gradually came to be 100 per cent reliant on care.

Her husband, who suffers from angina, diabetes and mobility problems, believes the employment of one more member of staff would solve his problems. “Essentially, I have no complaint about the staff,” said Mr Bishop. “What I have a complaint about is that there is not enough of them to do the job for which the unit was set up.”

Mr Bishop has since been forced to use a private care home in Leigh Sinton but says the cost would rule it out as a permanent solution.

The council has announced it would review the decision to discontinue Mrs Bishop’s use of Howbury Lodge.

Spokesman Paul Whittaker said she could return there again for respite care and would be reassessed as to her suitability for the home.

He said: “We will assess her condition during that stay to see if she can use it again. If she needs to go somewhere more suitable we will sort that out and ensure it will be at no extra cost for Mr Bishop.”

Mr Bishop welcomed the news but expressed concern about other patients who may be in a similar position.