A HEALTH group has apologised to a disabled man after it came under fire for holding a public meeting which was not wheelchair accessible.

NHS campaigner Chris Turner had to try to listen to what was going on from the corridor after being unable to access the meeting held by the North Durham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) because the lift was not working.

Barry Gower, secretary of the Durham City Access for All Group, also attended but left after being unable to get into the meeting room.

The meeting was held at Alington House, in Durham, to discuss the CCG’s Sustainability and Transformation Plan, which is being drawn up to plan the future of health services in the area.

Mr Turner said: "The organisers had chosen a venue in Durham which is 200 yards from the nearest disabled parking bay, up a steep hill at a time when no public bus service operates.

"It wasn't the best venue to choose anyway for a meeting which was likely to attract a large number of people with disabilities or health problems which was compounded when we got there to find the lift unfortunately wasn't working."

He added: "Social exclusion of people with disabilities leads to deteriorating physical and mental health and you would expect the NHS as the organiser of this event would have ensured a suitable venue was chosen."

Nicola Bailey, the CCG's chief operating officer, apologised and said the venue would not be used again. She said: “When booking venues we always ensure they are accessible to all, however that evening found that the lift was unavailable.

“We have written to this gentleman to apologise and to let him know how sorry we are and how seriously we take access issues."