MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson, says both North and South Lanarkshire councils must do more to help those disabled people in need of accessible housing and home adaptations.
Mr Simpson’s call comes after charity Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Scotland published their report, ‘No time to Lose: Addressing the housing needs of people with MND’, which raised a number of challenges people with MND face when trying to secure an accessible home.
At a Member’s Business Debate last night (Tuesday 21st June), he argued the statistics from MND Scotland showed both councils are failing to provide enough accessible housing for those with progressive illnesses.
He also raised the long delays residents in Lanarkshire face for homes and adaptations.
Research conducted by MND Scotland found only 0.34% of North Lanarkshire’s social housing stock was wheelchair accessible. In South Lanarkshire, the figure is 0.8%.
The amount of time a disabled person had to wait for accessible accommodation was also high. In 2021-22 residents in North Lanarkshire waited on average 0.74 years whilst for those in South Lanarkshire the figure was 2.26 years. The average wait across Scotland is 1.74 years.
Both councils confirmed they don’t have a formal process in place for prioritising people in need of accommodation or adaptations who are terminally ill.
Mr Simpson also raised the shocking case of Marie Cartwright, from Uddingston, who spent her last precious months with her husband washing him on their garden decking with buckets of water whilst they waited for a wet room to be installed. Sadly, Ian died before this adaptation was put in place.
He says the Scottish Government and councils must consider the recommendations made by MND Scotland and come together to find a solution to this problem before more people suffer.
Graham Simpson, MSP for Central Scotland said: “I was pleased to join colleagues in Parliament to recognise Global MND Awareness Month and pay tribute to MND Scotland for their vital report.
“With an average life expectancy of just 18 months after diagnosis, people with conditions like MND need fast action and in too many parts of Scotland we’re not getting that.
“The figures from North Lanarkshire Council and South Lanarkshire Council are especially worrying.
“Cases, like Uddingston resident Marie Cartwright’s, are truly heart-breaking and should be a wake-up call.
“Ministers and council officials must get round the table as quickly as possible to find a solution to this problem”.
