A ‘LOCKED IN’ man is set to languish in a care home for months as he waits for adaptations to be made at his family home.

Almost completely paralysed by a rare neurological condition, 56-year-old Kenneth Longstaff is currently separated from his loving family and living alongside dementia patients.

After being in hospital for more than two years, the Darlington man was recently discharged from James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, and must now live in an “unsuitable” care home.

His family are now calling upon Darlington Borough Council to speed up their processes after being told adaptations may not be made until the next financial year.

Wife Beverley says the current conditions are a strain on the entire family and have left Mr Longstaff isolated.

The former MOT tester was in good health when he was suddenly struck down with the rarest form of Guillain Barre Syndrome in 2012.

Physical recovery is expected to take years but mentally, Mr Longstaff is in good health and is struggling to adapt to life at the care home.

Desperate to get her husband back to the family home, Mrs Longstaff said: “The council are going to help us adapt our house but we want them to do it sooner.

“Ken is a 56-year-old man in a dementia home and it’s not where he should be – the sooner the council can get our home adapted, the better.

“They’ve said it can be done but the council’s wheels turn so slowly and we need to pick up speed.

“They told us they can’t fund it until the next financial year but it’s going to take months just to get the plans and I’d like the ball to start rolling.”

She added: “I don’t want him in a nursing home, I want him where he belongs – I just want us back together.”

Ann Workman of Darlington Borough Council said: “We’re working closely with the family to identify their needs to enable Mr Longstaff to return home.

“This process, including applying for planning permission may take some time so it’s likely funding would be met from next year’s budget, but if the work can be done this year then it would be funded accordingly.”

A fundraising night in aid of Mr Longstaff will take place at The Keys in Darlington on Wednesday, January 28 and a swimming gala will be held at The Education Village in Haughton on Sunday, January 25.

For more information or to sign up to swim, email Beverley.longstaff@ntlworld.com.

NORTHERN ECHO COMMENT: