FRAIL pensioners living on the first floor of a York residential home were made virtual prisoners when the lift was taken out of service, a visitor has claimed.

One 94-year-old woman was unable to get downstairs and missed an eye test when renovations began at Oak Haven, in Acomb, said family friend Brian Hackney, who visits weekly.

"She may as well be in Armley jail. Heaven knows what would happen if she were taken ill - it just seems so stupid," said Mr Hackney, of Askham Lane.

"A lounge has been provided for them on the first floor but it's really just a small bedroom. When we went last, there were four ladies and three visitors and we were all elbow to elbow."

One lady in her 80s became so frustrated she walked downstairs using her stick but was told to stop it, Mr Hackney said.

The 94-year-old woman, who did not want to be named but who uses a walking frame, moved to Oak Haven after the death of her husband 15 months ago. The couple had lived opposite Mr Hackney and his family and they became friends.

"After losing her husband she established a friendship with a gentleman resident," said Mr Hackney.

"His bedroom is on the ground floor and they haven't spoken for a fortnight. He said, 'Give her my love,' when I saw him. It is such a pity."

Mr Hackney blamed community services officers for what he sees as poor planning of building work at the City of York Council-run home.

"What they need to do is to put in a stair lift while the lift is out of action. It's diabolical when you think they are paying something like £350 a week to stay there.

"The sad thing is people like her are so vulnerable and don't like to make any fuss, but there's no one to stick up for them."

A City of York Council spokeswoman said the lift was out of service for 11 days. A new lift, with a seat and facilities for the visually impaired, was installed and working from last Friday.

"We did have unforeseen electrical problems because the lift to be replaced was built in the 1950s," she said.

Contractors are also refurbishing communal rooms and installing ensuite facilities in bedrooms, she said.

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