Local News · Swindon
West Swindon pensioner faces isolation after month-long landline outage
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
A disabled West Swindon resident has been left without a phone line for over a month, sparking fears he could miss essential hospital and medical appointments.
A disabled pensioner from West Swindon has been left isolated for more than four weeks after his landline was disconnected, leaving him unable to contact his doctor or family members who live abroad. Mr Zareian, who has been a customer of the provider since 1966, fears the ongoing service failure could have serious consequences for his health.
Mr Zareian is currently waiting for prostate surgery and relies on his landline to receive updates from his GP regarding his hospital appointments. He has also been unable to book his annual flu vaccination, a task he typically manages via telephone. Having no access to the internet, the landline remains his only direct link to the outside world. Expressing his distress, he noted that his friends and relatives are likely concerned for his welfare as they have been unable to reach him.
The disruption reportedly began with a disconnection notice sent by mistake. Despite receiving assurances from the provider that his service would continue, the line was cut off two months later. Since the outage, Mr Zareian has received a bill for £28, despite the service being inactive for over a month.
Seeking a resolution, Mr Zareian turned to the Living Well team at Swindon Central Library. The team has reportedly contacted the service provider multiple times on his behalf, but promised deadlines for restoration have consistently lapsed without action. Mr Zareian described the experience as a frustrating breakdown in communication, noting that the company appears to have lost the level of service and care he had grown accustomed to over six decades.
When approached for comment, a representative for BT stated: "We are concerned to hear about Mr Zareian’s reported experience and want to understand what has happened to see how we can help. We are doing our best with the information available to identify his account, so that we can understand his individual circumstances and provide any support he may need."
The case underscores the difficulties faced by elderly and vulnerable residents when traditional communication channels fail. Residents experiencing similar issues with service providers are encouraged to seek assistance through local advice services or to escalate complaints through the official ombudsman process if resolution remains outstanding.
Source: Swindon Advertiser - Lifestyle · View original