Pensioners fear being left to fall

Sep 5 2008 By Jessica Thomas

Jessop House

Housing chiefs have come under fire from elderly residents at sheltered accommodation in Chiswick amid rumours their warden is to be removed.

They claim Hounslow Homes bosses have held meetings where they discussed moving the warden at Jessop House, in Kirton Close, off site to cut back on costs.

Retired council maintenance man Henry Pursey, 85, told the Chronicle he and fellow residents fear they may be left to fend for themselves.

"If our warden is taken away, we will not receive the 24-hour care we were promised when we moved into sheltered housing," he said. "A lot of people who moved here gave up big houses so the council could relieve the housing waiting lists and so they could be safe in the knowledge they had someone to help them if they were ever in trouble."

Hounslow Homes have assured pensioners that if a warden, also known as a scheme manager, is not available during an emergency they can contact care service Linkline.

However, the OAPs say it is based at Busch Corner and its response time is anything from between half an hour to an hour.

Some of the elderly residents are also worried they will be unable to reach the red emergency cord they are required to pull to make contact with Linkline.

Hilda Bennett, 99, said: "I think it's disgusting. I've been here for 15 years and gave up my two-bedroom flat because I was worried that I may have an accident. I worked from age 13 to 70 to earn this privilege, now they have taken it off me."

Meanwhile friend Vera Driscoll, 85, knows from experience that an on-site warden is a necessity when it comes to sheltered housing.

"A few years ago I came back from hospital in the middle of the night after contracting the superbug C-Difficile and I became very confused and disorientated, our warden came up to see me in the middle of the night and helped me," she said."I don't know what I would have done without her."

But Hounslow Homes this week said no decision has yet been made on the removal of its remaining scheme managers and residents were being regularly updated on the situation.

"Hounslow Homes will be discussing the sheltered housing service with the board and the council to seek their views on its future direction and we will consult with tenants before any final decisions are made," a spokeswoman added.