Injured Rishton elderly in call for ramp (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Injured Rishton elderly in call for ramp

4:30pm Friday 29th June 2012 in Hyndburn By Emma Cruces, Reporter

Doreen Kehoe, Rachel Bradshaw and Margaret Logan at the step

ELDERLY residents in a sheltered housing scheme claim they have been injured trying to reach their back gardens because of a lack of a disabled ramp.

Residents of Hyndburn Homes bungalows in Eachill Gardens, Rishton, say they have injured their hips, arms, shoulders and legs in falling on a steep step to reach their back garden. One resident in her 90s was in hospital for five weeks after fracturing her shoulder.

The properties have no back doors and residents have to walk around neighbouring bungalows and navigate a dropped step if they wish to enjoy their gardens.

A ramp is in place in front of their homes, for front door access – but the tenants say they have been unable to get a similar ramp installed at the back. 93-year-old Margaret Logan was in hospital for five weeks after badly bruising her side, including damaging her hip and fracturing her shoulder.

Mrs Logan, said: “They put safety rails up, but that isn’t enough. It’s very steep. It’s very hard going up and down it, and it can be dangerous.”

Her grandson Lee Gainford added: “She was really badly hurt and it isn’t right that she has to either continue using that bad step or give up the garden. We have complained till we are blue in the face.”

Her neighbour Rachel Bradshaw has to walk around two bungalows and down the step to access the garden behind her. The 75-year-old who suffers from arthritis, angina and diabetes is housebound and uses a Zimmer frame to take even a few steps.

She said: “When I moved in seven years ago, I was fit and well, but now it is impossible. I pay a man to look after the garden, but I don’t enjoy it. It’s right outside my window, and if they just put some back doors in, it would be fine.”

Another neighbour who asked not to be named said: “I have fallen on it and had bad bruises all up and down my arm and leg. I have asked for a ramp.”

Hyndburn Homes said it would be looking into the matter. A spokeswoman said: “We are committed to providing an efficient disabled adaptation service that is responsive to the needs of tenants. The safety of our tenants is paramount to us and we will look into this matter further to ensure that Eachill Gardens remains a safe and accessible place to live.”