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A WOMAN who wants her ailing parents to move back to Haverhill so she can look after them has criticised St Edmundsbury Borough Council for not helping them.

Sandra Williams, of Robin Close, Haverhill, says she faces a two-hour journey to Milton Keynes to visit parents Leslie and Marian James. She is currently off work with stress from the strain of trying to care for them from a distance.

Mr James, 66, was awarded an MBE for long service, first in the Army and then in the prison service. He spent many years working at Highpoint Prison in Stradishall and lived in Haverhill. He then moved to Milton Keynes when he was transferred to another prison.

Mr James had to leave the prison service on ill health grounds after suffering several heart attacks and had a triple bypass operation. The couple want to move back to Haverhill so that their daughter can help with Mr James' care.

Since then Mrs James' health has deteriorated and after suffering three strokes, she has been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Mrs Williams has tried for two years to get her parents moved and after enlisting the help of MP Richard Spring, was told St Edmundsbury would help. So far no home has been found for the couple.

"I cannot believe my dad has an MBE and has been pushed aside as if he is not worth anything. All my mum wants is to be close to me. It is her dream and I want to make it come true for her. She probably will be dead before they do anything at this rate, they just don’t seem to care.

“She has to have radiation treatment at Northampton Hospital and I go with her, but it is taking its toll on my health. I just feel so frustrated, I would look after them, they would not be a burden on anyone else,” Mrs Williams said.

Carol Herries, St Edmundsbury's area housing manager for Haverhill, said because Mr and Mrs James did not live in the borough they could not go on to the waiting list. They could be helped through the Homes Scheme, if nominated by Milton Keynes Borough Council, but only sheltered housing was available under this.

They could be nominated for a housing association property if they qualified with enough
points, but to date the medical officer had not awarded them any. If their medical condition changed they could be reassessed.

Mrs Herries said if Mrs Williams contacted her again they would do what they could to help, but there was a great demand for two-bedroom bungalows, which was what the couple had requested.