An unwell Scots mum has been receiving kidney dialysis in a damp and mould-ridden council flat. Pauline, 57, who lives in the Craigmillar area of Edinburgh, has been suffering in the harrowing conditions, which include mould-infested, soaking wet windows.
Her daughter, Andrea, who lives just across the hall, has stressed she fears it will impact her heath even further. She has told how her mum was diagnosed with kidney failure and is now receiving dialysis three times a week.
Andrea told Edinburgh Live: "She has kidney failure, asthma and arthritis. She is really poorly. I'm just concerned about her health and this flat just isn't the best place to be in, her and my 16-year-old brother, Ryan. They don't go out much.
"My mum doesn't have the energy, dialysis really takes it out of you and she goes for treatment three times a week. Because of the arthritis she can't walk very well and they are around it all the time.
"The windows are soaking all the time, you can see grey and black mould all around them. They are basically full of water and then that leaks onto the floor. She doesn't dry clothes inside because she has a tumble dryer, but we live on the seventh floor and I think the damp gets worse the higher you go up the building."
Andrea, a store manager, went on to explain that she can see the mould has spread onto the furniture and furnishings - including the bedside tables and can see it on the back of items like picture frames. Shocking images show thick pockets of mould forming in the corners of the bedroom and near the electricity box.
Andrea has blasted the conditions as unacceptable and has called on Edinburgh City Council to move her mum and brother. She continued: "It's just not a nice place to live and I really want to see them out of there. I'm not asking for much, doesn't need to be anything fancy, or a new build, but just somewhere dry, ground floor, and close by because I help them both out a lot."
A council spokesperson said: “Many of our older council homes are now at an age where they need significant upgrades and we’ve recently announced a major programme of investment. We’re one of the first local authorities in Scotland to pilot a ‘whole house retrofit’ approach to council homes and we will fully adopt this over the next 12 months.
“Craigmillar Court, where these tenants’ homes are based, is one such building we plan to invest in. That should help with issues like damp and lowering fuel costs.
"Clearly, however, there are more immediate issues which also need addressed and officers will visit urgently to see what help can be offered. We strive to make sure that our tenants and residents live in safe homes where their health is a priority and I’d urge anyone with issues around mould or damp in their home to get in touch with the council.”
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