Dignity Can’t Wait: East Riding Council Backs Liberal Democrat Push for Rapid Home Adaptations

In a landmark victory for disability rights and social care reform, the East Riding of Yorkshire Council has unanimously passed a motion to overhaul its fast-track processes for residents living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and other terminal or rapidly progressive illnesses.

​The motion, spearheaded by Liberal Democrat Councillor Simon Pickering (Hessle), mandates a complete redesign of how the council handles home adaptations. The goal is to move away from a reactive "crisis management" model and toward a proactive "early intervention" system, ensuring that life-altering modifications—such as ramps, grab rails, and stairlifts—are installed before a health crisis occurs.

​“The Clock Starts Ticking”

​Currently, residents in the East Riding can face grueling waits for essential home modifications. Existing targets allow for 55 days for simple cases and up to 130 days for complex adaptations. For those with degenerative conditions, these months of bureaucratic delay can result in preventable falls or the loss of independence.

​Speaking after the successful vote, Cllr Simon Pickering emphasized the human cost of the current system:

​"I am delighted that councillors have voted unanimously in support of this motion. Currently, many residents facing degenerative conditions wait months for essential home modifications. For people with limited time or rapidly declining mobility, these delays and bureaucratic hurdles are unacceptable."

​Pickering continued, highlighting the urgency of the situation:

​"When someone is diagnosed with a progressive condition, the clock starts ticking. Asking a resident in the East Riding to wait months for a simple grab rail or a ramp isn't just inefficient; it’s a failure of care. We need to move from a system of 'crisis management' to one of 'early intervention.' By acting sooner, we keep people safe, independent, and in their own homes for longer."

​Liberal Democrat Policy: A Focus on Independence and Prevention

​The motion aligns with broader Liberal Democrat national policies which advocate for a "community-first" approach to social care. The party has long campaigned for:

​Integrated Care: Joining up health and social care to prevent hospital admissions.

​The "Home First" Principle: Ensuring people can live independently for as long as possible through better funding for home adaptations 

​Support for Carers and Terminally Ill: 

Reducing the administrative burden on those navigating end-of-life care.

​Cllr Pickering noted that the current 55-day target for minor fixes is "still too long," arguing that simple safety measures should be fast-tracked in a matter of days. "This is about human decency," he added.

​Economic and Moral Benefits

​Beyond the moral imperative, the Liberal Democrats argue that rapid adaptation is a fiscally responsible move. By installing a stairlift or ramp early, the council can prevent expensive emergency hospital admissions or the need for premature residential care, which places a significantly higher burden on the taxpayer.

​"A stairlift or a ramp can be the difference between someone staying in the home they love or being forced into costly hospital or residential care," said Cllr Pickering. "It’s better for the resident, and it’s more cost-effective for the taxpayer. It is quite simply the right thing to do."

​What Happens Next?

​The motion commits council officers to produce a detailed report for council chiefs. This report will outline specific mechanisms to slash waiting times and ensure that the East Riding becomes a leader in "Dignity Can’t Wait" care standards.