Blackpool family's fury after post office fall

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/black ... 3573657.jp

"PUT your customers before your profits."

This is the angry cry of a Thornton woman whose 90-year old mother suffered a harrowing fall in Blackpool's controversial new post office.

Elsie Fletcher is still bed-ridden in Blackpool Victoria Hospital after falling down the stairs while going to use the new outlet within the WH Smith store in Bank Hey Street.

Mrs Fletcher suffered a fractured leg in her accident on November 29.

Her daughter, Sue Thomas, says her mother has been left badly shaken and confused since the fall. Mrs Thomas doubts whether her mother will be able to return home to live with her 91-year old husband, Gordon.

Social worker Mrs Thomas said: "If the post office had stayed in Abingdon Street like people wanted this would not have happened.

"The vast majority of customers who use the post office are elderly so moving the facility to a smaller building on two levels is ridiculous.

"They are not thinking of their customers at all. This was an accident waiting to happen."

Mr and Mrs Fletcher had taken the bus into Blackpool from their home in Seabrook Drive, Anchorsholme, to take advantage of a bright, clear day.

The couple decided to go into the store to buy some stamps on impulse and took the stairs to avoid walking through the crowded shop to get to the lift at the back.

Mrs Fletcher slipped and found herself unable to get up so paramedics were called.

Mrs Thomas added: "Mum is in a lot of pain and we don't know when she is going to be able to come home, if she is able to come home at all."

Mr Fletcher said: "The stairs in WH Smith are not very good for elderly people to use. The hand rails are wooden and highly polished so they are slippy.

"We are going to see Elsie every day to help her with her meals but she doesn't seem to be making much progress, we are worried about her."

A spokeswoman from the Post Office said: "We are very sorry to hear about Mrs Fletcher's fall and we hope that she makes a full and speedy recovery.

"We are aware that some people have difficulty using the stairs and we make every effort to ensure the two lifts in this store are in working order.

"The staff are also happy to help anybody who is experiencing problems with the stairs."

Last Updated: 11 December 2007 2:43 PM

[DirtyHarry]

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/black ... 3573657.jp



A spokeswoman from the Post Office said:

"We are aware that some people have difficulty using the stairs and we make every effort to ensure the two lifts in this store are in working order.

"The staff are also happy to help anybody who is experiencing problems with the stairs."

Loosely translated, this means: "We know the elderly will have , ermmm, problems, when it comes to using the facilities we've provided inside cramped WH Smith stores, and especially in those WH Smith stores which occupy two floors, but hey, s**t happens, and all our staff are trained in dialling 999 and requesting the services of an ambulance if one is required."

[Broxi51]

Isnt it a bit late to maon now about the crap RM are doling out to their customers.
Where were they when we were striking to save this service from becoming a greedy
profiteering at all cost business.

[DirtyHarry]

Isnt it a bit late to maon now about [center]the crap RM are doling out to their customers.
Where were they when we were striking to save this service from becoming a greedy
profiteering at all cost business.

I believe quite a lot of 'em were busying themselves on forums like the BBC News one, lambasting postal workers for having the temerity to protest, by taking strike action, against worsening terms and conditions of work, against the planned future robbery of a sizeable portion of our pension pot, and for a decent and fair pay rise, their criticism was on the basis of "we've shite terms and conditions of work, and we've shite company pensions/no company pension at all, we're lucky if we get a pay rise every 2/3/4/5 years, so why should it be any different for posties."

A curious variation on the theme of "I'm alright Jack", more, "We're up s**t creek without a paddle, so should you be, Jack."

British people today, eh? ......... What went wrong?

[L Tommo]

Now i see One of my lot has been in the wars... Again... Mrs FLETCHERS daughter Mrs Thomas Is right.... Why is there a P.O. On two floors? When any older person or disabled person would find it hard or impossible to get to.. Then this happends to the poor old dear... My heart goes out to Mrs Elsie Fletcher.... Good luck and get well soon....

She will prob have to go to the P.O. to get her Queens Message when she is 100 AS then WE wont be doing them Just DSA shite!!!


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