Fob failure leaves pensioner in agony

Emergency services spend 90 minutes locked out

AN angry son has hit out after his 80-year-old mother lay in agony on the floor with a broken hip while her helpless rescuers spent 90 minutes locked outside.

Emergency workers sped to her home in Sholver after they were alerted by a helpline activated by an alarm pendant around her neck.

But a fob to allow access through the security fence surrounding the First Choice Homes flats where she lives failed to work, and they had to wait for the First Choice emergency call-out service to arrive.

Dave Bowyer, the injured woman’s son, said: “It seems First Choice Homes changed the security system without informing the helpline, and my mother had to lie on the floor in agony for an-hour-and-a-half before anyone could get in.”

The 59-year-old’s mother, who does not want to be named, is still in hospital after her fall, on December 11, and further problems with the fobs since prompted her son to contact the Chronicle. His mother had five fobs for the old system which she handed out to carers and family for use in an emergency.

Two were issued after the new system was installed — one which she kept, and another given to Dave’s wife, Deb.

But the hurt pensioner was unable to get to the telephone to call them, and couldn’t tell helpline staff until they reached her.

The family paid £45 for three extra fobs after the new system was brought in several weeks ago, but they have not arrived.

Mr Bowyer explained: “At the time we were more concerned about my mother, but the helpline service still hasn’t got its masterfob, which means they still don’t have access in an emergency.

“This is not just about my mother, she is still in hospital, but about everyone else who relies on the service as well.”

Brian Clarke, business improvement adviser for First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) said: “We regret any inconvenience that this one-off situation with a key fob may have caused.

“It is an important matter to us and we are looking into the case background in detail.

“A situation such as this is very rare and we are looking to see if the fault on this occasion lies with ourselves or one of our partner organisations. “

He added: “The situation appears to have come about as a result of the continual updating of our door entry and home security systems.”

He said the changes were intended to make homes as safe as possible for all tenants, and most of its 7,500 flats had a call entry system.

“We are in the process of replacing several old-fashioned stand-alone systems with a single modern system that will have several additional benefits for our tenants,” said Mr Clarke.

Councillor John McCann, Oldham council’s cabinet member for community services and housing said: “I would like to offer the lady and her family my deepest sympathies and I hope she makes a full and healthy recovery from her fall.

“The council is taking every step to ensure there is no repeat of this unfortunate incident.”