OAP is still trapped upstairs after lift broke at Christmas
9:17am Monday 6th February 2012 in Your Town
A PENSIONER is said to be a “prisoner in her own home”
after a care home lift broke down in December and has not been fixed.
The woman, in her 90s, is one of three residents at Thurstons Care and Housing in Wigan Road, Westhoughton, who have been unable to come downstairs since the lift stopped working.
It means they cannot attend lunch groups and activities on the ground floor.
But bosses at the home said the care of the people unable to get downstairs is being met.
A visitor to the home, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “The lift hasn’t been working since Christmas.
There is one old lady, who is in her 90s, and they can’t bring her down for the lunch club or the bingo.
“I am absolutely appalled. They should be able to fix the lift more quickly.
“It doesn’t matter to me if they have family visiting of not. She should be able to come down and have company.
“It is so distressing for me to think of this old lady who is a prisoner in her flat.”
Bosses from the home insisted they were working with contractors to get the lift fixed.
Neil Birch, district manager for Thurstons, said: “We always strive to give our customers excellent service and are sorry they have been inconvenienced by the broken lift.
“We have installed a chairlift for our customers.
There are three tenants who are unable to use the chair lift but we are frequently visiting them to make sure their care needs are met and staff have enabled them to still take part in the social activities at the scheme with friends.
“Their families are also still able to visit them.”
Cllr David Chadwick, who represents Westhoughton South, has taken up the issue.
He said: “Even if it was one person not getting out, all of the stops should be pulled out.
“It is something I will keep on at. I find it totally insensitive.”
