Housing landlord defends decision to remove stairlifts from sheltered accommodation schemes
Housing developer and provider of supported living services Thirteen Housing Group has defended its decision to remove stairlifts from its Ardrossan Court and Priory Court properties in Hartlepool.
The planned removal of the 11 stairlifts, which are located in communal staircases throughout the two sheltered accommodations, has caused upset and anger amongst residents who are now facing relocation, with some having been tenants for over 20 years.
Taking to their local newspaper, the Hartlepool Mail, residents in their 80s and 90s highlighted that because of their disabilities and mobility problems, they rely on the stairlifts to gain access to their flats.
As reported by the Hartlepool Mail, the Thirteen Group has emphasised that the removal of the stairlifts is for health and safety reasons, informing the local paper that the stairlifts are not intended for communal use.
“The welfare of our customers is paramount to us, and so for health and safety reasons it has become necessary to remove stairlifts from our sheltered schemes.
“We have two specific sheltered housing schemes in Hartlepool with no passenger lifts where this has the biggest impact,” said the spokesperson to Hartlepool Mail.
“Stairlifts are installed to meet the needs of a specific individual following an occupational therapy assessment, so are not suitable for communal use.
“With that in mind, we have taken the difficult but necessary decision to remove these.
“For their safety and comfort, we are working with a small number of customers to help them relocate from upper level accommodation to ground floor accommodation and we have assured them that no action will be taken to remove the stairlifts until they have moved into their new homes.”
Writing to the housing group, Hartlepool MP Mike Hill questioned why the stairlifts are there in the first place if they are unsuitable and asked if there are any other options that can be explored to prevent residents from being relocated.
The situation may prevent an opportunity for mobility and access specialists in the sector who may be able to offer alternative solutions that may be available on the market.
