Alasdair Allan MSP is urging Openreach to conduct urgent repairs on an vital phone line connecting many vulnerable Western Isles residents to the Faire telecare network.
Openreach which maintains UK telephone and broadband lines has yet to fix a fault which has cut off some users for the past week.
The 24-hour Faire service, operated by the Comhairle’s social and community services
team, provides a phone link for vulnerable and elderly people.
The service does require a telephone line. However, one of the lines used for the service was recently cut by accident.
Residents have been told they could have to wait up to five working days before the telecare network is operational again.
Alasdair Allan commented: “Naturally, the prospect of having to wait nearly a week to get this vital service operational again will be a great concern to many families.
“This is a truly lifeline service, provided in both English and Gaelic or some of the frailest and potentially most isolated people in the country.
“I have contacted Openreach to ask what they will now do to expedite these repairs in order to ensure that the system is fully operational again as soon as possible.
“I would urge anyone who is experiencing difficulties or knows somebody who is unable to use Faire to contact me.”
The Comhairle says the fault has still to be fixed due to delays in the network provider progressing an identified solution.
The authority asks that family members, neighbours and friends living nearby continue to assist and support elderly and vulnerable people.
Faire can still be contacted by phone on 01851 701702 or email at faire@cne-siar.gov.uk.
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