DISABLED residents in North Dorset have had to face long waits for vital care packages that would make their lives easier.

And it has been reported that some have died before the equipment could have been installed in their homes.

That's the claim from occupational therapists who say a backlog of patients and the lengthy process of securing a grant means some faced waits of more than a year.

Addressing North Dorset District Council yesterday, a representative of the County Council's Occupational Therapy department said: "Some people are being told they have to wait up to 18 months to be able to have a decent wash."

But the future looks brighter next year as an additional £305,000 from the Government promises to help the Council to clear its waiting list.

Disabled facilities grants are used to fund vital facilities such as a level access shower, stairlift, external ramps and in some cases an extension to provide a ground floor bedroom or bathroom.

Applicants are referred by occupational therapists and the grant is means tested. It is made up of 60 per cent government funding and 40 per cent from the Council.

But the number of referrals from occupational therapists has risen due to them having worked through a backlog and an increasing population of over 65s. That means that since 2003 the council has had a waiting list of residents in need of facilities. Each case has been ranked as either high, medium or low priority - and those ranked medium or low have faced up to 10 months' wait to access vital facilities.

A report which went before district councillors yesterday concluded: "Such an arrangement potentially has health and safety implications for occupiers, creates the possibility of care packages breaking down, in addition to any psychological impact of living without access to vital facilities and the loss of dignity this may engender."

A change to the funding structure also means the Council is doing away with means testing parents of children with a disability in favour of mandatory grants.

This will inevitably have an impact on the budget, although the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has promised additional funding.