COWDENBEATH'S MSP has raised concerns in the Scottish Parliament about "unacceptable" long waits in Fife for even the most basic of housing adaptations.

Annabelle Ewing said that alterations can help older and disabled people to live safely at home but that the delays - Fife Council said it's taking up to 39 days for a stairlift to be installed - mean some cannot wash or use the toilet properly.

She said it was important to "spell out what the reality is for my constituents under Labour-controlled Fife Council".

Ms Ewing said: “The fact of the matter is that far too many of my constituents wait far too long for even the most basic of adaptations to be made to their homes by Fife Council.

Fife Council said the average waiting time for a stairlift to be installed in one of their homes is 39 days. Fife Council said the average waiting time for a stairlift to be installed in one of their homes is 39 days. (Image: Paul Franklin) “This means that some cannot wash themselves properly and some cannot even access a toilet and need to use a commode. In some cases, for years.

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“I asked the housing minister (Paul McLennan) to agree with me that this is simply unacceptable in 21st century Scotland and that he now take up this breach of people’s right to dignity up with the chief executive of Fife Council with a view to the council sorting this continuing shambles out once and for all."

She added: “It was good to note the information the minister provided about the review of housing adaptations policy and delivery arrangements that is underway and I look forward to seeking what comes out of that.

"In the shorter term, I welcome the offer from the minister to have his officials discuss with Fife Council the matters I have raised.”

Fife Council service manager Paul Short said that they work closely with the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership who are responsible for assessing the need for any additional adaptations in council housing.

He added: "When we receive information on what's needed, our building services teams work as quickly as possible to install any adaptations needed.

"For example, the current waiting time for a stair lift to be installed is 39 days.

"We are always working to bring these timescales down as we know that people need these adaptations done to improve their quality of life."

Lynne Garvey, head of community care services at the partnership, said: "It's important to support people who choose to live at home or in a homely environment to do this for as long as possible.

"In order to do that, we work with Fife Council building services, making sure people are assessed as quickly as possible for any aids or adaptations they might need.

"We start those conversations at the earliest opportunity when supporting people and do all that we can to engage their families and carers in these decisions.

"The service receives a high number of referrals. As a result we do have to prioritise our assessments for those with greatest need."