Why it matters: Non-ambulant residents on the top floor say they cannot access essential services, including medical appointments, raising serious concerns about the welfare of residents at the Holme Oaks Court retirement home.
The details: Holme Oaks Court has only one lift serving three storeys of flats. According to residents, the lift has been out of service more often than it has been working, leaving people on the top floor unable to leave their homes.
One resident said the lift was broken for two weeks without any temporary arrangements being made, during which time the warden was away. "Nobody appears to care about the situation that the residents find themselves in," they said.
What the company says: A FirstPort spokesperson said: "We are working hard to resolve the situation with the broken lift as quickly as possible. We have explored all possible repair options, including replacing a specific part. However, our specialist lift contractor has confirmed that due to the lift's age, a full refurbishment is now necessary and will be the most cost-effective long-term solution."
The company added: "We understand the challenges a lift outage can pose in our retirement communities, and we are doing everything we can to support our residents, with the Development Manager available to assist where help is requested."
What's next: FirstPort is expediting the Section 20 consultation process required for major works and reviewing tenders from contractors. The company says it is keeping residents updated through regular noticeboard updates.
The bottom line: While repairs are promised, residents say they feel forgotten during an extended period without proper access to their homes or essential services.
