Veteran unable to bathe after two-month home help delay

Published on Wednesday 23 September 2009 09:45

A WAR hero pensioner today told how he has been unable to have a bath for two months despite begging the city council for help.

Widower Peter Rogan, 86, who has an artificial hip and knees, has been asking for assistance from the council since his doctor referred him to the city's social care team on 12 August.

He initially believed it would be sorted out in a matter of weeks but the Prestonfield pensioner has now been told it might be the end of next month before any help is arranged.

In the meantime, he is unable to bathe properly and is forced to wash as best he can at the hand basin.

Mr Rogan, who fought at the battle of El Alamein, described his situation as "degrading".

He said: "My reward for being in the Royal Artillery from 1939-45 is to be left feeling helpless and abandoned by those we trust and pay to care for those of us in need. I think I deserve better.

"As my legs worsened, my doctor informed social services of my need for assistance in getting into the bath to have a shower, which is situated above the end of the bath. I cannot bathe normally without help to get out. At the moment all I can do is wash myself with water from the hand basin. I've bought a wee jug to wash my hair but it splashes everywhere and doesn't do the job properly. It's degrading and unhygienic.

"I'm not asking for the world, all I want is a decent standard of care. I need a professional therapist to help me round the house, I'll even pay for it."

Mr Rogan, who uses a walking stick and has to take a daily cocktail of painkillers, first received correspondence from the social care team on 19 August telling him that someone would be in touch to discuss his case and to notify them of any changes in his condition.

Despite phoning to tell them he had increased difficulty with mobility, had been admitted to the ERI with chest pains and had been diagnosed with diabetes, he received no response. Only when he rang a complaints number after four weeks did he discover that the waiting period had been extended to eight weeks.

Mr Rogan added: "I have only had one call to tell me what is going on. Even the council agreed that I should have been told about the extension. By the time I get the necessary help I could be in an even worse state."

A council spokesman said the authority was aware of Mr Rogan's circumstances and was now in contact with him regarding an assessment.

He said: "While we sympathise with his situation, unfortunately, there is a great deal of demand for these services especially at peak holiday periods and due to limited resources we cannot assess everyone as quickly as we would like."