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Medical problems - and delays in housing
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The Opposition said late yesterday that it is concerned at the long delays being experienced by persons with serious medical problems, whose medical condition could be alleviated by being re-housed, yet they are having to wait for years.
In one particular case, the family consists of a couple and three young children living in a one bedroom privately rented flat.
The second youngest child has been facing severe medical problems and as far back as 2001 the Consultant Pediatrician brought the condition of the child to the attention of the Housing Minister. In 2003 the family was finally placed in Medical Category List A.
Since then the child has developed additional chronic medical problems and the doctors dealing with the child have on several occasions written to the housing department stressing the need for re-housing.
The case has been referred back to the Medical Advisory Committee on a number of occasions and all that has happened is that they have been told that they have to wait for their turn on the Medical A List and that a further communication would be sent once a suitable flat had been found.
They add: It seems incomprehensible how after all these years the Government has not been able to find a suitable flat for this family, especially since the Medical Category A list is supposed to be the list of housing applicants where the medical problems are most serious and have been given the highest priority.
Commenting on the situation Shadow Housing Minister Charles Bruzon said: ?This is not an isolated case, but it is one that shows the serious failures in the system. Regrettably from the Opposition all one can do is support the families in these cases and ask the Minister to look into it to see how he can help those affected. Although I wrote to the Minister last year, to date all I have had by way of reply is an acknowledgement of receipt of my letter without any further explanation or communication.
This is simply not an acceptable way to deal with persons facing desperate choices and this family now does not know where else to go to get its case heard.?
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