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COUNCIL CRITICISED: Broken lift leaves elderly Hemel residents isolated and trapped 

 Published on: 16th January 2020   |   By: News Desk   |   Category: Uncategorized

A 97-year-old woman is one of many elderly residents who have been left trapped and isolated in their flats after the lift stopped working. 

Those living on the first and second floor of Evelyn Sharp House, including Melissa Davis’ mum, who have limited mobility, rely on the use of the lift and have been left confined in their flats while the home waited for it to be fixed by the council. 

Evelyn Sharp House, in Adeyfield, is a purpose-built supported scheme run by Dacorum Borough Council, which houses people aged 60 and over, who can live on their own but would like to have support close by.

Melissa Davis’ mum was one of those affected by the broken lift which left her “fed up, frustrated and isolated”. 

Speaking to HemelNews, she said: “My mum and a number of other residents at Evelyn have been trapped in their flats for over a week while Dacorum Borough Council have messed about trying to find a replacement part to fix the lift. 

“It is a joke. My mum is 97 and has limited ability and was stuck in her flat for over a week, how does that make sense? It shouldn’t be taking this long. It was a big change for her to move from the house she lived in for 67 years and then this happens. It is so frustrating.”

The closure of the lift has put residents in danger according to Melissa who is outraged at the length of time it has taken DBC to get it fixed. 

A spokesperson for DBC said they were contacted about the faulty lift on Thursday, January 9 and blamed the long wait on the replacement part being sold by a European manufacturer. 

The spokesperson continued: “We were informed of issues with the main passenger lift at Evelyn Sharp House on the morning of Thursday, January 9, and our lift contractor attended the site within 75 minutes. The operative worked for three hours to diagnose the problem with the intention of returning the lift to full service. Unfortunately, a defective part was identified, and the lift was put out of operation for safety reasons. A replacement part has been sourced and ordered from a European manufacturer and we are waiting for delivery so that we can return the lift to full operating action. A UK based solution was explored, but due to the configuration of the lift this was not possible. An operative is on standby to repair the lift as soon as the replacement part has been delivered.

“The scheme manager and care staff are fully aware of the situation and are assisting our residents where possible carrying shopping and assisting residents on the stairs. Residents have been asked to use their lifeline pendants if they require any help. If a resident requires a GP appointment home visits will be carried out by the GP. We apologise to our tenants who have been affected.”

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