Disabled passengers are being let down by rail companies and left to fend for themselves, a consumer watchdog has found.

Disabled passengers getting a raw deal from rail companies
Article in the Telegraph

Extract:

"The study by Passenger Focus tested the industry's Assisted Passenger Reservation Service (APRS) in a 'mystery shopper exercise' across the country.

It found that, despite help having been prebooked, station staff were unaware that they would be dealing with a disabled customer on two out of three occasions.

Fewer than half were given details of a meeting point at the station. Of those shoppers given an appointed meeting place, only 58% were actually met there by staff.

While in most cases they did try to help, in 15 per cent of occasions passengers were left to fend for themselves.

But on over half the bookings the staff failed to tell passengers that the stations did not have disabled access.

On nearly two out of three occasions call centre failed to tell the passenger whether the train had a toilet with disabled access.

At times mystery shoppers complained about the attitude of staff. "Not at all helpful, just felt like she couldn't get rid of me quick enough," said one wheelchair user."

Survey discloses that three out of four councils have cut free home support services for the elderly and the disabled in order to save money.

Three out of four councils are cutting care for elderly and disabled
Telegraph article

Extracts:

"The poll by the Local Government Association found that town halls are increasingly withholding support for all but those with the most severe needs, as Britain's ageing population puts their budgets under increasing strain.

This means that thousands of pensioners and disabled people must either pay for their own care - and scrimp on food and heating - or remain effectively trapped in their own homes with no help to carry out basic tasks such as eating or washing.

The LGA, which represents local authorities across the country, is calling for the Government to use a forthcoming Green Paper to simplify the social care system and increase its funding to ensure those in need are not denied help."

"Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern, added: "These figures are further evidence that the care system is coming apart at the seams and needs urgent reform.

"It is disgraceful that people who need care and can't afford to pay are being told they simply won't get any help. It is positively Orwellian that these cuts are being delivered through a process known as 'Fair Access to Care Services'."