A devoted carer has called for clarity on whether collection changes will leave human waste lying in household bins for three weeks.

Lynn Williams looks after 70-year-old husband Derek – who has a high level spinal injury and continence problems.

She claims she has spent months looking for answers from elected members and council officers on what will be done to support disabled people when grey bins are collected once every three weeks instead of fortnightly.

Lynn, from Ralston in Paisley, explained that current fortnightly collections are bad enough for causing a bad smell and hygiene problems.

She said: “There needs to be clarity. This has significant hygiene and dignity issues for disabled people and carers.

“After the recent heatwave, families I know – including ourselves – had to contend with flies and maggots.

“We recycle as instructed and we wrap all personal and clinical waste in four or five bags before putting in the grey bin, but we still have strong smells and flies.

“It’s unacceptable that it still isn’t clear what will happen. I would urge the administration to consider how it better meets the needs of disabled people.”

Lynn claimed she has had mixed messages from Renfrewshire Council representatives regarding the issue and has called for firm answers on how the local authority will address people’s concerns.

She added: “Online we are being told that special arrangements can be made for people with medical needs.

“An official I spoke to earlier this year said that wouldn’t happen.

“There was no consultation, that I’m aware of, in relation to changes to the wider refuse collection changes.

“I understand why some of those changes need to be made.

“Council officials at the roadshows are saying three-weekly refuse collections are working elsewhere.

“What they haven’t said is that at least one council area – North Lanarkshire – offers more regular collections for families with disabilities.”

Paisley woman Betty O’Reilly’s husband Edward, 83, is paralysed down his right side and has carers are at their home in Blackhall four times a day.

She said she often has to spray her bins with disinfectant and expressed worry at how the situation will worsen when it changes to three-weekly collections.

Betty said: “I’ve got two bins. They’re full and they stink. I’ve got to spray them with bleach and disinfectant.

The smell is coming through my door it’s that bad. There’s a lot of pads going in the bin.

To be fair to the council they gave me another bin and never charged for it but that’s full as well.

“They were late once and you should’ve seen the flies.”

Renfrewshire Council said it will provide an additional grey bin for those who need it but did not specify whether special collections could be arranged.

A spokesman said: “We recognise that residents need to be fully informed and reassured around the change to their bin collection service later this year.

“We will make provision for residents with medical needs or large families who may need more additional space for their general waste.

“Those with five or more permanent residents in their household, two or more children aged under three in disposable nappies or who generate non-recyclable healthcare waste can be provided with a larger or additional grey bin.

“A waste advisor will meet with residents that request a larger bin to assist with their enquiry and provide advice and support on how they can use the new service effectively.”