Housing group criticised over hand rail delay

Housing group criticised over hand rail delay

27 July 2016

A DOWNPATRICK man has expressed his frustration that a social housing provider is taking so long to provide a hand rail outside his Meadowlands home to assist his wife who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis.

Lenny Galbraith said his wife Margaret’s condition is worsening and she needs the rail to assist her getting in and out of her two-storey home. He said given the fact she is in a lot of pain and has to walk with the help of a relator, it is vital Choice Housing officials provide her with the assistance she needs.

Mr Galbraith said he was given several assurances by Choice Housing that new a hand rail would be provided and thought contractors would be on site to complete the work.

“I am very frustrated about the continual delay in providing this rail. Things are so bad for my wife at the moment that she is sleeping in the living room as she cannot climb the stairs due to the pain she is in,” he continued.

“We have put in for a transfer and while this is pending, my wife needs assistance when leaving and coming back into the house. That is why the hand rail is so important. It will make life a little easier for Margaret.”

Mr Galbraith said “things simply can’t continue as they are” and hopes the new rails will be in place as soon as possible and that there will be no more delays.

He added: “Margaret’s condition is worsening and the new rail will help us a lot. We have requested to move to a new house which is more suitable for her needs, but until this issue is addressed, it is important my wife is provided with the help she needs in our current home.”

A spokeswoman for Choice Housing said the tenant’s earlier request for the installation of a stair lift in the couple’s home was considered, but later cancelled with their agreement as a housing transfer application has since been made for more suitable accommodation. 

“Other adaptation works have already been carried out with the installation of two additional handrails at the property,” she continued. “Choice has also instructed contractors to install a new custom made hand rail which will be fitted externally to the property and we expect that the manufacturing process will be completed in the next few days and installed next week.”

The spokeswoman added: “The tenants have been advised of this progress and we will continue to provide advice and support in any way that we can.”