Dave Ward said his dad, Brian Ward, has been trapped in his first-floor flat at Anchor Court, Melanie Close, for nearly four weeks due to the building’s only lift being out of order.
According to Dave, the lift went out of service on July 21, and his dad who lives with a disibility has since not been able to leave the flat to attend medical appointments, shop or even do his own laundry.
“It keeps happening and they bodge the job – this is the longest it’s gone on,” Dave told the News Shopper.
Brian’s daily routine mostly includes visiting his local shop to get the paper and doing his own laundry – both activities he is unable to do without using the lift to get outside.
Dave said: “He has been left to sit in the flat.
“This is the third time it’s happened.
“Last year, my mum had dementia, and he was going through a hard time caring for her.
“She passed away just before Christmas and he’s been finding things difficult.”
Nicola Butler, Operations Manager for Anchor Court, has confirmed that the issue was due to a leak in the roof which caused the lift to not work.
She added: “Now the repair work is complete, the lift can be returned to service.
“We’re really sorry that residents were affected during this time.
“During the time the lift was out of service, risk assessments were completed for all residents, and the location manager increased the number of welfare calls to ensure the wellbeing of all our residents.”
On August 11, Brian was taken to hospital with suspected stroke symptoms linked to dangerously high blood pressure, which Dave believes was triggered by the stress and isolation caused by being housebound.
Dave added: “The day before the ambulance call, I went round, and he [Brian] was in dire depression.
“He said he feels like a prisoner in his four-square walls.
“On Friday they put scaffolding in to repair the roof as they’re saying the leak has caused the damage to the lift.
“This is not just about a broken lift – it is a safeguarding and public health failure that has already caused a medical emergency.
“Vulnerable residents have been left isolated and unsupported, with no communication, no contingency plan, and no sense of urgency from those responsible.”
