We really have hit rock bottom in this country...
My missus has an elderly mum that is not very mobile and has a number of health issues ( she is 86 ) and she goes down to her once or twice a week to make sure she is ok and has enough food and that the bills are paid and to sort out any other issues etc.. Well she had a fall sometime in the early hours of the morning due to an attack of some description which set off her emergency alarm... The Fire Brigade arrived at her property and instead of using the emergency key located outside in a box to allow them in they set about breaking in.. It took them a full hour to break down the secure door according to the neighbours and she was then taken to Kingston Hospital where she had to wait nearly 5 hours before she was seen by a doctor.
The door has been completely shattered down one side.. then they attempted to screw back the frame but everything else is damaged...
Because it was badly damaged you could close the door but not secure it.. The locking mechanism was completely torn off the frame..
My other half's sister is currently up there now with her. I understand they will not allow her back home as they are concerned about her mobility and will be moving her to a secure housing unit where she will at least be monitored... My missus sent me pictures of the door and she could not get it to lock despite trying to put it back together which meant the property would be unsecured, Also the outer door to the flats is unsecured which means anyone on the prowl would have a field day just walking in... She phoned Kingston Council and the earliest they claim they can sort it out is January 27th!!! Bearing in mind this is the property of a vunerable 86 year old woman I find that fucking appalling... Her primary carer has also not been available to talk to all day...
Now I don't say these things to have a go at our emergency services or doctors or nurses because no doubt they are doing the best they can with what little resources they have and I hear a lot of things along these lines happening to a lot of people and for sure the Health system is about as poor as it can be, Underfunded, Underpaid workers, and absolutely no accountability for those in charge of funding or policies...
Life shouldn't be this difficult for people... We just seem to be getting worse and worse
