Fears cleaning service to be cut are allayed

Martina Haddock, who has spinabifida, was told last Friday that the two hours cleaning service she has had for the past three years will end, due to the cutbacks.

Wheelchair-bound Martina has had a cleaning service for 20 years due to her disability.

“I had someone come in twice a week to help clean as I can’t do it myself,” she told the ‘MAIL’.

“I was just told on Friday that I would not longer be getting the cleaner.

“I think they expect me to pay for it myself but I can’t afford it,” she said.

Martina said that up until three years ago she had a cleaner every day but that all stopped too.

When Martina contacted the ‘MAIL’ she was upset at the thoughts of what she was going to do now that the cleaning service would be chopped.

She explained that her social worker had told her on Friday about the cuts.

However when the ‘MAIL’ contacted the Southern Health Trust they said: “The Trust has taken no decision to withdraw any service provided to this individual. Trust staff will be meeting with this person this week.”

At a meeting on Tuesday, Martina said she was told the matter was a ‘misunderstanding’.

“The matter has now been cleared up and I am glad the cleaning services will not be cut. I have been worried about it. How am I meant to clean my house?

“I regard this as a vital services for disabled people like myself but I am glad that I will have someone to help.”