West End Extra - Letters: Unsafe

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West End Extra - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published: 7 September 2007

‘Unsafe’ homes are prisons for Westminster’s elderly

• DEAR Councillor Harvey,I am really very sorry that you have not yet found it possible to reply to my letters of June 25 and August 15, but found plenty of time to write incorrect articles in the newspapers.
The following are situations created by you and Councillor Ian Adams for Macintosh House residents moved unwillingly to new accommodation.
As I said to you, I have had several opportunities to visit other sheltered accommodation in Westminster, which you alleged offers better facilities than Macintosh House. I have already drawn your attention to serious shortcomings of Penn House and Glarus Court.
I have just visited a dear friend who moved recently. His WC seat is wobbly, there is no toilet paper holder, the pusher to release the water is short and impossible for him to use, there is no rail to grip to help him get up, no rails to hold on to and heavy doors to close. He cannot use the toilet for these reasons so he is stuck in bed, using a container to relieve himself.
There are no rails in his lobby, lounge, bedroom or kitchen. He cannot do his daily walks along the corridors because there is nothing to hold on to. He asked for help walking but has been refused – no such help is available from Westminster Council.
Why not leave him in Macintosh House, where he was able to walk along the corridors on his own because there are rails everywhere?
He is very unsteady, occasionally faints – he needs help. As he is stuck in bed he cannot watch television because there is no outside aerial in the bedroom. His kitchen is a mess and unsafe. All wires run on top of the table, the kettle wire runs on top of the cooker fire. He is unable to open/close his lounge windows, because they are very stiff.
SANTE ZANELLO
Macintosh House, W1G

Councillor Harvey’s response to Sante

• WE are regular contact with Mr Zanello over his concerns and we are seeking to address his concerns.
We are looking into the issues raised in his letters.
And a letter will be responding to him soon.
CLLR ANGELA HARVEY
(Con)
Westminster City Council

Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, West End Extra, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@westendextra.co.uk. The deadline for letters is midday Wednesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld. Please include a full name, postal address and telephone number.
Letters may be edited for reasons of space.

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