Sir Oliver Dowden MP recently visited Shaftesbury New Court Place Care Home in Borehamwood.
At the visit, he met with residents who are facing issues around the provision and repair of NHS wheelchairs by AJM Healthcare.
Sir Oliver raised the treatment of residents with the Health Secretary in Parliament today. He has also raised the matter with AJM Healthcare and the local Integrated Care Board.
He separately took up other issues regarding transport to hospitals and inaccessible pavements with the relevant authorities.
Sir Oliver said: ‘For residents of New Court Place care home in Borehamwood, wheelchairs are their lifeline. However, they are being badly let down by AJM Healthcare, their NHS wheelchair provider, with multiple unresolved assessments, bad communications and waiting times for repairs and replacements unbelievably extending to four years. Residents with physical and intellectual disabilities feel let down, overlooked and traumatised. In tackling health inequalities, can I urge the Secretary of State to look urgently at this provider and come to the aid of people who desperately need our help?’
The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, replied: ‘I can certainly give the Right Honourable Gentleman, the assurance that my Department will look into the provider that he raises. One reason I was proud that this Government increased the disabled facilities grant is that it means not just more ramps, handrails and accessible kitchens and bathrooms, but dignity, independence, freedom and quality of life. That is precisely what the right hon. Gentleman’s constituents are being deprived of if they do not have wheelchairs that meet their needs. I would be delighted to look into this, and I am extremely angry that the failures he raises require me to do so.'
