HE IS an 85-year-old diabetic who is also suffering from dementia.

But retired engineer Kenneth French is living alone in a first floor flat miles from his closest relatives, who are too ill to visit him regularly.

His 81-year-old wife Gill has multiple sclerosis and his daughter, Tracy Lloyd, is battling cancer for the second time.

The pair have spent months trying to persuade Hampshire Social Services that he needs more help and should be moved into a nursing home.

But Mr French is still at Barfields Court in Lymington, a local authority-run complex which provides "extra care" housing.

The former councillor was allocated a place there 14 months ago after his dementia made it impossible for him to remain at home.

He told the Daily Echo: "I've been here since August last year and I hate it. It's too big and it's a million miles from my family."

A solicitor acting on behalf of Mrs French has sent a series of hard-hitting complaints to the county council and is threatening to contact the Local Government Ombudsman.

One of the letters says: "It's quite clear that the carers at Barfields have not been attending to Mr French as they should.

"They have not been ensuring that he eats appropriately for his status as a diabetic.

"They have not been ensuring the creams and medications required to treat his feet have been applied.

"Mrs Lloyd can provide photographs of the appalling state of her father's feet, which include blood on the towels where they have started bleeding and no-one has taken any notice."

The family want him to be moved to the West Cliff Hall care home in Hythe.

Mrs Lloyd, of Dibden Purlieu, said: "My father is eating rubbish food and sometimes doesn't eat at all. The only time he gets a proper meal is when we go over.

"He's not taking his pills, his skin isn't good and his feet are terrible. If he stays at Barfields he's only going to get worse."

Cllr Liz Fairhurst, executive member for adult social care and health, said: β€œThe county council has a duty to ensure residents receiving adult social care are helped to live as independently as possible with safe and appropriate support.

"It strives to ensure the right placements are found for people according to their needs and preferences.

"As these change we review placements and recommend or make changes as required – taking account of the wishes of family and loved ones wherever possible.

"Our priority is always to ensure those we support are looked after in accommodation that is suitable for their needs. We are working closely with our client and his family to ensure this is the case.”

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