A Fife man fears his father will be “injured or worse” as he waits in vain to be assessed for a stairlift.
Gerry Welsh, 75, in constant pain from osteoarthritis, is waiting for two hip and two knee replacements.
He is desperate for a stairlift to save him having to basically crawl on his hands and knees upstairs.
Despite contacting Fife Council regularly from last year, his worried family is still waiting for someone to assess the retired MoD policeman to see if he is eligible for a stairlift in his Dalgety Bay home.
The saga has left his son David, who works for the local authority, disgusted with his employer’s treatment of his widower dad
“I am at my wits end with worry,” he said.
“I am scared I will be a call saying he has seriously hurt himself or worse.
“This is 2016, not 1916,” he said.
Late last year the family started contacting the council as Mr Welsh was finding it increasingly difficult to get about.
He cannot have a bath and using the stairs is an increasingly difficult.
His consultant has submitted letters supporting his application for a stairlift and he family have been told he is on the priority list, which has a waiting time of six months.
Meanwhile Mr Welsh said no-one from the council has spoken directly to him so he has contacted councillor Gavin Yates.
He said: “The Welsh family should not be in the situation where they have to raise their private concerns so publicly.
“I have intervened in their case and highlighted the need for urgent assessment more than once with the relevant officers.
“I realise the serious financial issues that face health and social care due to both the substantial growth in cases and budget problems but the service given here simply isn’t acceptable.
“The focus on delayed discharge is understandable but if that means vulnerable people are waiting months for an assessment we are storing up serious problems for the future.”
Mr Welsh said he was disgusted at the way the council has treated him.
“I feel as if the council is ignoring me.”
Saying the council respected confidentiality and would not comment on individual cases, divisional general manager Julie Paterson added: “The social work occupational therapy service receives a high number of requests for assessment and support.
“Requests are initially assessed based on information provided and priority given in line with Fife Council’s published eligibility criteria.
“Those assessed at highest risk and need will be seen first.
“We’ll make further contact with Mr Welsh to ensure we’ve the latest information available to best support meeting Mr Welsh’s needs now and in the future.”
