Any ideas.

[pollyjj]

My friend who is diabetic and also on oxygen 24/7 has a problem with her heating going off.

She is in a council property and first called them out on Tuesday then on Thursday and then today (Sunday) once again it went off and she called the emergency number at 6 a.m. she phone again several times during the morning and eventually someone phoned her back and said she would just have to wait as she was not a priority, she waited about 6 hours in all for the Engineer to come and several hours later she is still trying to get warm again.

How do you quality for Priority treatment, anyone know.

polly xx

[SecondLife]

Think it depends on your tenancy agreement, a loss of power here is classed as a priority. Hope it gets sorted

[Toci]

1. Go see your MP

2. Contact the local newspaper

3. Tell them, in writing, that you have lodged a letter with your solicitor instructing him to sue for any ill effects your health may suffer due to not having the heating on.

If that doesn't work - move!

[longlungs]

She should be considered a priority Iam.Is there a man about that can get on the phone and call them expressing their concerns for your friend in no uncertain terms?Has she or can anyone help out with heaters in the mean time.There needs to be a very serious phone call tomorrow to her council,grrrrrr ! Janexx

[cofdrop-UK]

Polly I am so sorry your friend has gone through this - very distressing. Know the feeling. When we had all the snow I was had just come out of hospital recovering and still on medication for pneumonia and the heating had broken (I am on a priority list). My next door neighbour who is a nurse said 'you can't stay here' and the job's worth said they couldn't fix it if I wasn't there. So you see having priority isn't a fool proof solution.

The first thing to do about this episode would be to put in an official complaint I would guess. If your friend was not on the 'priority list' the operatives wouldn't be allowed to treat it as such. I know common sense would tell you if someone is on 02 then they are obviously priority. I'm afraid this seems to be because so many folks say anything to get their repair done quicker which then effects genuine people like your friend. The repair guys told me this.

If your friend is on DLA/PIP or any disability benefit then it should be straightforward, but as she is on 02 I really can't see why she would have any difficulty getting priority status. She would need to get in touch with the council and check with them who deals with getting onto a priority repairs list, emphasising electricity for her 02 and heating for her respiratory condition are essential. They may want to know if you have any other form of heating but if there are a lot of call outs (priority covers not only disabled and chronically sick but elderly and very small children,) they should at least bring you alternative heating (usually a fan heater).

If you don't get anywhere with them, then it's time for your local councillor to step in.

Good luck and I hope by now your friend is warm and toasty.

Love cx

[Hidden]

She needs to get intouch with her local housing trust and ask for the medical team or adaptations team every council housing trust as one .. then she needs to have a chat with them .. Thay are very helpful un like housing TOOLs

[onamission]

I would stop paying the rent they would soon come then

[Steph57]

Hi Polly tell her to try and find out what company maintains her heating system and get her to ring them direct councils don't tend to maintain heating themselves. Hope this helps if not she needs to ring citizens advice.