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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Disabled Slough woman wins case after stairlift wait | Disabled Slough woman wins case after stairlift wait |
| (4 months later) | |
| The woman applied for the stairlift grant in May 2021 and had been living downstairs for almost a year | The woman applied for the stairlift grant in May 2021 and had been living downstairs for almost a year |
| A disabled woman has won damages after her local authority took almost a year to decide on an application for a stairlift in her home. | A disabled woman has won damages after her local authority took almost a year to decide on an application for a stairlift in her home. |
| The unnamed Slough woman, who relies on care workers and was unable to access her upstairs bedroom and bathroom, applied for a grant in May 2021. | The unnamed Slough woman, who relies on care workers and was unable to access her upstairs bedroom and bathroom, applied for a grant in May 2021. |
| She was instead forced to sleep, eat and wash in her downstairs living room. | She was instead forced to sleep, eat and wash in her downstairs living room. |
| Following an investigation Slough Borough Council was found to be at fault and ordered to pay her £3,550. | Following an investigation Slough Borough Council was found to be at fault and ordered to pay her £3,550. |
| The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman discovered the council was operating a points-based waiting list for adaptations, which is against statutory guidance. | The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman discovered the council was operating a points-based waiting list for adaptations, which is against statutory guidance. |
| It also discovered the waiting list appeared to be an attempt to manage a backlog and circumvent the requirement to assess applications within the six-month time limit. | It also discovered the waiting list appeared to be an attempt to manage a backlog and circumvent the requirement to assess applications within the six-month time limit. |
| 'Hot bath in privacy' | 'Hot bath in privacy' |
| Investigating officer Michael King said the delay directly impacted the woman's mental wellbeing, given she had to wash and go to the toilet in a room that directly opened onto the street. | Investigating officer Michael King said the delay directly impacted the woman's mental wellbeing, given she had to wash and go to the toilet in a room that directly opened onto the street. |
| He said she would "dream of having a hot bath in privacy and being able to use the toilet like a human being". | He said she would "dream of having a hot bath in privacy and being able to use the toilet like a human being". |
| Mr King concluded the council should pay damages for her time pursuing the matter and the distress she experienced in the delay, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. | Mr King concluded the council should pay damages for her time pursuing the matter and the distress she experienced in the delay, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. |
| It also recommended the authority scrap its disabled facilities grant (DFG) minor works waiting list process in line with statutory timeframes. | It also recommended the authority scrap its disabled facilities grant (DFG) minor works waiting list process in line with statutory timeframes. |
| Mr King said: "I'm pleased the council is now minded to accept my report's recommendation. | Mr King said: "I'm pleased the council is now minded to accept my report's recommendation. |
| "I hope this will ensure other people in Slough who have need of adaptations to their homes will not be faced with undue delay." | "I hope this will ensure other people in Slough who have need of adaptations to their homes will not be faced with undue delay." |
| The cash-strapped council is currently selling off assets in a bid to balance its books with £760m of borrowed debt. | The cash-strapped council is currently selling off assets in a bid to balance its books with £760m of borrowed debt. |
| Slough Borough Council was contacted for comment. | Slough Borough Council was contacted for comment. |
| Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Berkshire | |
| Slough | Slough |
| Slough Borough Council | Slough Borough Council |