They neither Care nor Repair.
Through my GP, in early January, I applied via email to Care & Repair, Cardiff and the Vale to have a hand rail fitted to the side of my steps in the front of my house, so that I could reach the pavement.
There are 15 steps altogether, the last 13 being very steep. I have lost my balance, and am housebound until a handrail is fitted.
I had a reply telling me that in order to install the handrail, they must inspect the inside of my home. I found this to be very intrusive, and being a private person, caused me great upset and anxiety.
I replied, telling them not to bother if that is how they run their business. However, I had an email back, letting me know that they were willing to fit the handrail without inspecting my home. This was included no NJ in the email:
“Fret not…. There is a 3-4 week wait for a visit and they will ring a few days/a week before to make an appointment that suits you.”
The phone call I received was the next month, from someone who said that he would be out in the afternoon to fit the handrail. I received a call in the afternoon from him, saying that he had visited my home, but was unable to fit the handrail, because he did not know if his company - Care & Repair - would allow him. Because it was a large job - “and the steps are very steep.” He told me he was going back to the office, and would phone me from there.
That was more than a month ago, the handrail has not been fitted. Which means that I’m still housebound. Because home visits are impossible where I live, I have missed appointments at my local surgery with GPs.
I have a hospital appointment coming up, and an ambulance is coming to my home. I will be helped down my front steps in a wheelchair to the ambulance which will take me to the hospital. I am not looking forward to the indignity of being seen like that. Care & Repair, Cardiff and the Vale have no dignity nor shame. And bereft of any care or repair.








