Falkirk council staff working to free up hospital beds

Work by Falkirk Council’s building maintenance division on empty properties which can be used to accommodate homeless people and hospital discharges is helping in the COVID-19 response across the district.

So far seven people have been moved from hospital into council homes and freeing up essential NHS beds.

It has also provided 17 individuals or families with safe and secure temporary accommodation.

Athough all routine building maintenance work has stopped, the local authority is still providing a range of services for tenants, including:

*Emergency repairs, including a serious water pipe leak, no heating or hot water, total failure of electricity supply

*Gas servicing and safety checks

*Provision of temporary accommodation for homeless and support hospital discharges and free up essential hospital beds

*Provision of property adaptations to support hospital discharges and free up essential hospital beds.

Council Leader Cecil Meiklejohn said: “The safety of our staff and tenants is priority. We are only carrying out essential services and following government guidance on social distancing and working practices.

“The building maintenance team are doing a grand job in very challenging circumstances. They continue to carry out emergency repairs and are bringing empty homes up to a standard for temporary accommodation for homeless people and for hospital discharge.

“As this crisis continues we aim to have 80 additional temporary properties available for those who need them and have completed work on 28 houses so far.”