Torus leaves amputee without adapted kitchen for years

Alan Walker says that Torus Housing Group had inspected his property three years ago, assessed his needs and deemed that - as an amputee - he needed his kitchen adapted.

A resident of Kimberley Street, in Whitecross, Alan says that since his needs were assessed and his adapted kitchen installation signed off by Torus, he has not had any subsequent attention from the housing company.

As of now, Alan still has not had his adapted kitchen fitted.

He told the Warrington Guardian that his needs were assessed in July 2020, before the adaptations were signed off later that year.

As an amputee, Alan needs his kitchen adapting for his use (Image: Supplied)

Alan said: "The excuses Torus has made so far include Covid-19, staff leaving - which should not matter when the paperwork is in place anyway - and a new computer system being installed at their offices in February."

When asked how this has made him feel, Alan replied: "It makes me feel a lot of things, all negative I'm afraid to say.

"Anxious, depressed, forgotten, insignificant."

When pushed on the matter by the Warrington Guardian, Torus Housing Group did not deny what Mr Walker claimed.

Instead, Kevin Nelson - Torus adaptions manager - said: “We have apologised to the tenant for the time this matter has taken and can confirm the preparation to install the new kitchen was already underway prior to being contacted by the Warrington Guardian.

“Following a survey earlier this month, we are now waiting on plans from our kitchen supplier, which are expected by the end of the month.  

"Once received, we will be able to order and install the new kitchen immediately."

Mr Nelson added: “To clarify, Torus are not able to re-prioritise one tenant over another, unless specified by the local authority’s occupational therapist, therefore, to be fair to all tenants waiting on adaptation works, we must complete works in date order.

“Unfortunately, due to an ongoing increase in demand, there is currently a longer wait for major adaptation works, but we are working hard to get them completed as quickly as possible.

“We have spoken to the customer again and they have confirmed they are happy with the next step, and we will continue to keep them updated until the works are completed to their satisfaction.”