Articles by Edward Barnes

Technology

It’s embarrassing not having a toilet

A Merseyside dad living with dementia said he was left unable to sleep after being told he could not go to the toilet. Housing firm Onward Homes has apologised to Noel Coroner for the situation. Noel, 77, moved to Moreton from Northern Ireland in March this year so he could be supported by family members in Merseyside. However his Annette Steenson said she noticed a patch on the bathroom ceiling of his Onward Homes property in August and was told by the housing firm it had been an issue for two years. On November 1, the smoke alarms in the property then went off after water started raining down on the toilet in the bathroom. Noel is an amputee, and has bowel issues as well as dementia, but he was told he could not use the bathroom any more. Annette said work was done but the place “absolutely stunk” and “they left it disgusting.” Despite this the same issue occurred over the weekend on November 8 and 9 and Annette said she was disgusted by the response from Onward. While she praised those working at the assisted living facility as wonderful, she said Onward “are just passing the buck constantly” and the company had even suggested putting Noel in a hotel, adding: “It’s awful. They aren’t listening and they aren’t calling me back.” Annette said she was worried there was a risk to life because of the fire alarms issue, adding: “The rent is £320 a week and he has no bathroom. It’s just horrific and it’s awful they leave vulnerable people like this. “I brought him to a worse situation. His life in Northern Ireland was fine but I couldn’t cope on my own and now he is in a horrific position. “There’s no bathroom and there was ivy growing in the kitchen window so it didn’t close. I had to get scissors and cut it off.” Noel, who takes pride in his independence, told the LDRS he could not sleep as the issue “plays on my mind” and he did not know what could happen next due to the leak. He said: “It’s frightening. It’s embarrassing not having a toilet,” adding: “I just find it ridiculous in this day and age that this could happen. It’s just ridiculous.” A spokesperson for Onward said: “We are extremely sorry for the inconvenience and disruption caused to Mr Coroner by the issues in his home. We are determined to put things right as soon as possible. “Although we completed roof repairs in the summer, the issue has clearly not been fully resolved and additional repairs are now required. At Mr Coroner’s request, these repairs will be completed while he remains in his home. “We visited Mr Coroner yesterday [November 11] and carried out initial works to protect against further leaks. We have agreed a date to complete all repairs and will ensure that Mr Coroner is satisfied with these. “In the meantime, our teams are in contact with Mr Coroner to check if he needs any additional support until the works are completed.” Despite the initial works, Annette said she was “in panic mode” due to rain being forecasted and became concerned after water could be seen collecting on film placed directly above the toilet. A spokesperson for Onward Homes said an operative was on the way on November 12 “to inspect the waterproofing measures and we will remain in contact with Mr Coroner.”