A Scots pensioner adjusting to life after having both his legs amputated has been left virtually housebound since leaving hospital.
Kenny Fisken, 76, was discharged from Perth Royal Infirmary after recovering from his latest operation. But his family claim they were not provided with a ramp to get his wheelchair into the house and a care package was not in place.
Unfortunately with his second amputation, the rented council home at Cluny Terrace in Letham he has shared with his wife Dawn and their 20 year-old disabled daughter has now been deemed unsuitable for his needs and the family has been told by Perth and Kinross Council they must move to other accommodation. Dawn (52) explained that Kenny lost one leg last year due to complications surrounding a kidney condition.
Kenny’s remaining leg started to go gangrenous and he recently went into hospital to also have it amputated.
He was discharged from hospital on August 5 but Dawn was shocked and upset to learn there were to be no changes made to their home ahead of him leaving PRI.
His family made and fitted their own wheelchair ramp when they were told Perth and Kinross Council was not planning on putting one in.
“My husband has dialysis three times a week. He has to get from the house to the ambulance to go for that,” explained Dawn.
“We built a ramp - of sorts. I could not sit back and allow him to be housebound. He’s had a terrible homecoming.
“The situation is the best we can do on our own, but it has been horrendous for him and for me too.
“I cannot lift him. Nor can the ambulance driver. The first attempt for him to get out to go for his dialysis treatment was humiliating.”
Dawn claimed Kenny was discharged without a care package and no assigned social worker from Perth and Kinross Council.
She told the PA the council wants the family to move house as the front and back door are unsuitable to make adequate mobility adjustments for Kenny’s wheelchair.
Dawn added: “We don’t want to move. We’ve been here for 20 years. We don’t want the upheaval.
“My daughter has a mental health condition. She’s autistic and dyslexic and lives with us long-term.
“Although she’s 20, she has a mental age of nine.
“She cannot handle change. Moving house would be horrendous for her, she can’t cope.
“I want our place at Cluny Terrace adapted. The whole thing is disgusting.”
Perth and Kinross Council does not comment on individual cases but was aware of the Fisken’s situation.
A spokesperson said: “The council supports people to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible. This includes adapting property so it is suitable for people with mobility challenges.
“Unfortunately not every property can be adapted and alternative accommodation may need to be considered for some people as we strive to support independent living.
“Every effort is made to arrange care and support for people so they can be discharged from hospital without any delay.
“Due to the level of demand on health and social care service which is being experienced locally and nationally, families are sometimes asked to support a person to return home when they are medically fit for discharge from hospital, until such time as the care can start.”
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