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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Are the Council being unreasonable with this?

68 replies

Rampxoxo · 10/08/2022 17:01

My elderly mother lives in a ground floor council flat. She is disabled and uses a mobility scooter to get out. She stores her mobility scooter in her flat.

When she goes out on her scooter, she struggles to get it down the 7" step at the communal front door. It is a block of 6 flats, with 3 storey (two flats on each level), which share the same communal front door.

I have asked the council to install a ramp at the front door. They have said they only do ramps for people who are completely wheelchair dependent, not to help people with scooters to get out.

Is this reasonable? I feel like they are being tight and unhelpful.

OP posts:
SpindleInTheWind · 10/08/2022 17:05

Has the Council come up with any suggestions at all? I'd be interested to know what it thinks the solution is for a disabled resident in these circumstances.

Itssolate · 10/08/2022 17:09

If someone needed adaptations to their council house, I think they would request an assessment from the council ( in our area an occupational therapist would do this) and the adaptations would be according to what was advised by the OT.

Might be worth finding out how it works in your area?

TheLionTheWitchAndTheChesterDraws · 10/08/2022 17:16

I think this might be a national thing. We know someone with mobility issues due to a significant medical condition. He isn’t wheelchair dept yet but uses a scooter to get to work and would be housebound without it. He had the same issue with our council and ended up being helped by a Facebook campaign and some local tradesmen who made one for him.

Brogues · 10/08/2022 17:18

They should have designed the steps to be accessible to all in the first place!

Tulipvase · 10/08/2022 17:22

The communal door could be a sticking point. I’d get an OT asessment. You need a lot of space for a low gradient ramp. Could the scooter be stored outside in a purpose built shelter? Or is there a way of getting out of the back of the flat if she is ground floor?

Original poster
Rampxoxo · 10/08/2022 17:26

We have had the OT assessment. It is the OT employed by the Council who has said they don't support installation of ramps for mobility scooter users. Only wheelchair dependent people are apparently entitled to a ramp.

They haven't offered an alternative solution. The OT just says that they don't do ramps for scooters.

OP posts:
BlackbirdsSinging · 10/08/2022 17:27

Councils have no money. They just stick with the rules as it means they spend less. Blame the Tories.

D1ngledanglers · 10/08/2022 17:28

Contact Adult Social Care and ask for an OT assessment.
However there are guidelines Councils work within so the system is "fair" for all.
Has she considered a move to Extra Care or more sheltered accommodation? Access should then be level and of course she'd have extra support available to her.

Original poster
Rampxoxo · 10/08/2022 17:28

Tulipvase · 10/08/2022 17:22

The communal door could be a sticking point. I’d get an OT asessment. You need a lot of space for a low gradient ramp. Could the scooter be stored outside in a purpose built shelter? Or is there a way of getting out of the back of the flat if she is ground floor?

Nowhere to store scooter outside sadly.

Also no way of getting out of back of flat. There is just a garden at the back, which does not have access to the front of the flats.

OP posts:
Original poster
Rampxoxo · 10/08/2022 17:30

D1ngledanglers · 10/08/2022 17:28

Contact Adult Social Care and ask for an OT assessment.
However there are guidelines Councils work within so the system is "fair" for all.
Has she considered a move to Extra Care or more sheltered accommodation? Access should then be level and of course she'd have extra support available to her.

It's the OT who says no.

Mum doesn't really want to move as she likes her neighbours and has lived in her flat many years. It does seem unfair that she should have to move house, with all the stress that entails, just for want of a ramp.

OP posts:
ClocksGoingBackwards · 10/08/2022 17:31

My Nan had the same problem but the council let her get a lockable storage thing for outside the property where she could keep her scooter. She was lucky there was the space but she had to pay for it herself which was fair enough.

Original poster
Rampxoxo · 10/08/2022 17:32

Brogues · 10/08/2022 17:18

They should have designed the steps to be accessible to all in the first place!

I wish they had! It is an older block of flats, so probably built before new builds had to be built wheelchair accessible.

OP posts:
D1ngledanglers · 10/08/2022 17:33

X posted - just seen your update. That's a standard response from the OT in my area too. An Adult has to meet certain criteria for a service ie ramp. Does your mum go out alone on her scooter? If not, you could possibly buy / loan ramps to use, but she'd need someone to put down / take up, as they're heavy.

Tulipvase · 10/08/2022 17:33

Is it council owned or housing association owned? If the latter, I’d try them.

I guess the issue is whether she can’t do it at all or If it’s just tricky?

Keep pushing, quote the care act at them if it’s just a shit OT. But there are huge waiting lists and no money currently…..

Could it be kept outside?

Tulipvase · 10/08/2022 17:36

x Posted too.

The trouble with a ramp is they really do take up a lot of space and also you have to consider the needs of the other residents. Some people really struggle with walking on a gradient but 1 small step is ok for them.

Original poster
Rampxoxo · 10/08/2022 17:37

ClocksGoingBackwards · 10/08/2022 17:31

My Nan had the same problem but the council let her get a lockable storage thing for outside the property where she could keep her scooter. She was lucky there was the space but she had to pay for it herself which was fair enough.

That is interesting. I am glad your Nan got something sorted.

I am not sure there is anywhere we could put a lockable storage thing for the scooter. Outside the front of the flat are bin stores, so don't think there is anywhere to put a storage unit for DM's scooter.

OP posts:
Chasingsquirrels · 10/08/2022 17:40

Would a removable ramp (which stayed there all the time) be an acceptable solution (to your mum and the other occupants)?
I don't know if the council would object to this, or whether the location would lead to the theft or vandalism of such a ramp.
Could she afford to fund it herself - I'm thinking a triangle type box with maybe non-slip stuff on it.

Original poster
Rampxoxo · 10/08/2022 17:40

D1ngledanglers · 10/08/2022 17:33

X posted - just seen your update. That's a standard response from the OT in my area too. An Adult has to meet certain criteria for a service ie ramp. Does your mum go out alone on her scooter? If not, you could possibly buy / loan ramps to use, but she'd need someone to put down / take up, as they're heavy.

She goes out with her husband. He is not in full health either sadly. Somehow or other, they get the scooter down the step at the communal front door.

I will check out buying portable ramps like you have suggested. It might help them. Thank you!

OP posts:
SWSUN · 10/08/2022 17:42

I have some knowledge of this area and in our area they will not ramp for scooters. You have to have an NHS issued wheelchair.

It is very hard and expensive to adapt communal entrances. What meets the needs of one person may have an adverse impact on others.

Ramping to allow for a scooter needs a wider ramp that accommodates a higher weight than a wheelchair. Also many people use scooters and they have varying levels of mobility.

Does your mum need a wheelchair? If so she can be referred for a wheelchair assessment and go from there. The council may recommend she moves to a more suitable property in that case but should help her with that.

Original poster
Rampxoxo · 10/08/2022 17:43

Chasingsquirrels · 10/08/2022 17:40

Would a removable ramp (which stayed there all the time) be an acceptable solution (to your mum and the other occupants)?
I don't know if the council would object to this, or whether the location would lead to the theft or vandalism of such a ramp.
Could she afford to fund it herself - I'm thinking a triangle type box with maybe non-slip stuff on it.

I suspect that a temporary ramp left in position would be stolen fairly soon as DM lives in not that a salubrious location. I will try to see if I can buy a lightweight portable ramp and see if that makes it easier.

OP posts:
Blondeshavemorefun · 10/08/2022 17:45

Make your own By Wooden ramp ?

SirGawain · 10/08/2022 17:45

YANBU I would get in touch with the councillor for her ward. They may be able to get the officers responsible to see sense. Failing that email her MP,

doilookremotelyinterested · 10/08/2022 17:48

Contact her MP and if that fails, the local paper. Councils aren't real big on negative publicity and you know how a paper would love a picture of your elderly mother looking forlornly out the door, her mobility scooter next to her! It might even make the Daily Mail!!

Original poster
Rampxoxo · 10/08/2022 17:48

SWSUN · 10/08/2022 17:42

I have some knowledge of this area and in our area they will not ramp for scooters. You have to have an NHS issued wheelchair.

It is very hard and expensive to adapt communal entrances. What meets the needs of one person may have an adverse impact on others.

Ramping to allow for a scooter needs a wider ramp that accommodates a higher weight than a wheelchair. Also many people use scooters and they have varying levels of mobility.

Does your mum need a wheelchair? If so she can be referred for a wheelchair assessment and go from there. The council may recommend she moves to a more suitable property in that case but should help her with that.

It's really not that hard or expensive to provide a ramp for a small step surely?

OP posts:
Original poster
Rampxoxo · 10/08/2022 17:50

doilookremotelyinterested · 10/08/2022 17:48

Contact her MP and if that fails, the local paper. Councils aren't real big on negative publicity and you know how a paper would love a picture of your elderly mother looking forlornly out the door, her mobility scooter next to her! It might even make the Daily Mail!!

Liking the idea!

OP posts: