Resident misses cancer treatment due to broken lift

Mike Constable says he has felt "isolated" since the lift broke at his resident complex

A man missed his cancer treatment and has been left "feeling trapped", and unable to leave his flat because of a broken lift.

Mike Constable, from Penarth, has a double leg amputation and relies entirely on the lift to leave his home.

The lift in the complex, Cwrt Jubilee, has been out of order for seven weeks.

Property management company FirstPort said it was "sorry" for the disruption and that a ground team remained in place to "assist mobility" throughout the building.

Mr Constable lives on the second floor of the complex with his wife.

He said the lift had broken down in the past "but it was only for a couple of days".

Mr Constable has bladder cancer and receives treatment every six months. He has been forced to rearrange his appointment due to the lift issues.

"I spoke to my doctor over the phone. They told me to contact the ambulance service and they've arranged to carry me down on Friday."

The lift has been out of order for seven weeks despite numerous visits from engineers to fix it

Mr Constable's son Richard said it was "unbelievable" that the lift had been out of order for so long.

"It's not good enough. I'm surprised my dad hasn't lost his mind stuck in that flat," he said.

His daughter Allison added that the lack of lift had left her father feeling "isolated".

Many of the Cwrt Jubilee residents have struggled to use the stairs

Anita Evans, 87, has been "stuck" in her first floor flat for seven weeks as she has arthritis and uses a walking frame.

"It's difficult, I can't go down the stairs. I'm very independent and I don't like asking for help."

She has been forced to rely on the support of other residents, and her daughter who lives in Ystrad Mynach.

Ms Evans described the atmosphere in the complex as "depressing" as residents are missing out on their coffee catch-ups and summer trips.

"We don't see any of the upstairs or downstairs residents. We really had a nice social life."

She said the communication with FirstPort had been "terrible".

"I would've thought our manager could at least phone us to see if we are alright.

"If it wasn't for my neighbours popping in we could be lying dead on the floor and nobody would know," she added.

Cwrt Jubilee is managed by FirstPort Residential Property Management

Marcia Keene, 85, has lived at the complex with her husband for eight years.

She said they had "really struggled" to access essential facilities since the lift was out of order.

"The washing machines are on the ground floor and the bins are also located on the ground floor," she said.

Mrs Keene added social events had to be cancelled because "most people" cannot get to the ground floor without the lift.

"We have a lovely garden but we haven't been able to use it."

Mrs Keene said there had been a manager present at the complex during the week who had helped carry shopping up the stairs.

"But he's the only person that's here. Any other help that's been carried out has been carried out by other residents."

Mrs Keene said the residents will host a "big party" to celebrate when the lift is fixed.

A spokesperson for FirstPort said: "A lift engineer recently completed major repair works, including the reinstallation of the repaired motor. While these repairs were intended to restore the lift to full working order, a follow-up inspection has identified further issues.

"We are working closely with the lift contractor to resolve these as quickly as possible and an engineer will be on site next week to carry out the necessary work."