ELDERLY and infirm residents in a building run by a “leading” housing association are in ‘danger’ due to a busted intercom that prevents keyworkers and helpers from getting in.

Town Bridge Court in Chesham has been without a functioning intercom since at least November 27 and a delay in its replacement puts vulnerable occupants at risk because carers are currently being denied reliable access.

The Sanctuary Housing operation has 16 flats offering single and couples occupancy to “over-60s”.

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Some residents are immobile or disabled, and some have degenerative brain diseases.

Nurses, carers and family need access “several” times a day to help with medication, cooking and bathrooms visits, among other things.

The on-site warden works Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm, but no nights or weekends.

“The situation is really, totally unacceptable – particularly over this length of time,” said one family member who asked not to be named.

“This really is a dangerous situation…for all the residents in that block, plus the nurses and the carers who have work to do and can’t.”

They have a partner suffering with a degenerative brain disease living there whom they visit up to four times a week – and they themselves are over 80 years old and disabled, living in Berkhamsted.

“It’s been worrying…if by chance something had gone wrong, an accident or medical emergency, nobody would get in to know about it.”

When they ‘urgently’ contacted Chesham and Amersham MP Cheryl Gillan for help, she told them she could ‘not do anything about it’ because they are ‘not one of her constituents’, they said.

But Ms Gillan said she had “not refused to help”, adding she needed permission from their local MP, Gagan Mohindra. “However,” she added. “I asked my staff to contact and report it to the housing association using no names.”

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The person from Berkhamsted went on to say: “The first day I knew it was down was when I went there and I couldn’t get in – that was November 27.

“It can’t be repaired – the system is antiquated and out of production and they’ve got to get a replacement.

“The social workers can’t get in, any more than I can, the nurses who have to get in can’t get access either…and if there was an emergency [those services] can’t get in.

“The warden reported it instantly and the engineer, who came fairly quickly, just said it was beyond repair.

“The only way to get in is if the warden is there…the only other way is, when I get there, to telephone up to [my partner].

“There are some people there who need nurses and carers four or five times a day and they haven’t got access.”

A spokesperson for Sanctuary Housing said: “We are sorry for the inconvenience the issue with the intercom has caused and share the residents’ frustration about the time it has taken to carry out the repairs.

“Specialist parts have been ordered to complete the work required and in the meantime, as a temporary measure, the Scheme Manager contacted the relevant care agencies to arrange keys for entry into the building. A key safe was also installed on Wednesday, December 9 and we’re in the process of ensuring that those providing care and support to our most vulnerable residents have the code so they can access the building swiftly.

“We can reassure residents that we are in regular contact with our external contractors so they understand how important it is to complete the repairs as soon as the parts arrive.”

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