DISABLED council tenants in East Durham will now have less time to wait for improvements to their homes following the rollout of a successful pilot scheme, it has been revealed.

East Durham Homes’ (EDH) Minor Alterations Service allows applications for access ramps, security lights and other living aids to be considered more quickly.

Requests can be approved without the need for a formal assessment by an occupational therapist, speeding up the application process and meaning improvement works can begin sooner.

EDH adaptations manager Jeff Scott, said: "Our target is to complete minor adaptations within 15 working days of a request being approved. If the work is urgent, however, we will try and complete it within an even shorter period of time."

The service was introduced on a trial basis in response to feedback from members of EDH’s parents’ and carers’ group, but was initially only available to families with a disabled youngster aged 19-years-old or under.

Now all tenants with a disability or complex needs can have their application for small-scale adaptations such as the installation of thermostatic radiator valves, safety glass or window locks fast-tracked through the system.

EDH, which manages and maintains more than 8,000 properties on behalf of Durham County Council, is running the scheme in partnership with the council and County Durham Primary Care Trust.

For more information contact EDH on 0800-032-0835.