Medical need to move

If you feel your current accommodation doesn’t meet your medical needs or you require specific adaptions in your property, we can re-assess your housing application.

We would need to carry out a medical assessment to assess how your present housing is affecting your health however, homelessness, poor housing conditions, marital problems, neighbour disputes and social need will not, on their own, be considered a medical priority for council housing. 

We will not assess your application on medical grounds if:

• you have not submitted a housing application and
• you haven’t provided all requested proofs in support of your housing application

Once you have completed a housing application, we will require supporting information explaining why your current accommodation isn’t suitable. We will then send you a self-assessment form to complete. This will ensure that we have your view on the suitability of your property and what type of property you require.  

You will need to send the self-assessment form back to us with any letters from professionals in support of your application. We will aim to reach a decision within 12 weeks. 

Types of conditions that may be given priority

• Anyone who is housebound due to stairs or steps 
• Persons with severe mobility problems and are not able to access essential facilities in their home
• Additional bedroom need for a full time registered carer 
• Additional bedroom need for a child who is unable to share with sibling due to a recognised medical condition (i.e. child with autism)
• Diagnosed mental health problems significantly affected by current accommodation and supported by relevant mental health professionals.

Types of conditions that will not be given priority

You should only apply for priority on medical grounds if you have a condition which you feel is caused or aggravated by your current accommodation. We won’t process your medical assessment if your problems are due to:

• difficulties experienced during pregnancy that are likely to go away when the baby is born
• difficulties getting a pram/buggy up and down stairs
• illnesses or injuries that are likely to get better with treatment, e.g. a broken leg or arm recovering from an operation
• overcrowded accommodation – we already consider this in the general assessment of your housing situation
• minor illnesses like a cough, cold, flu, earache
• anti-social behaviour or noise complaints
• disability-related benefits

No extra priority will be given if you are in receipt of disability-related benefits such as Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independent Payments (PIP). If you get either DLA or PIP, we will require proof to correctly assess your application.

Condition of your home

Due to the short supply of council housing we will also look at other options that can help you remain in your current accommodation.. 

If you are experiencing difficulties in accessing facilities and managing day-to-day activities in your home, this may be improved with adaptations or aids and equipment. You can refer yourself to Adult Social Care for further consideration of the need for adaptations and/or equipment by calling 01793 463333 and selecting option two.         

If you are an existing Swindon Borough Council tenant and have a health condition or disability that may be improved with adaptations/aids, you can request an adaptation to your council home.

If your council housing property has problems with damp, condensation, mice or insects, your landlord should deal with these.

You can seek our help and advice if you are a private tenant and your landlord is unwilling to resolve the problem. 

Medical proofs we require for a medical assessment

In order to consider your housing application to be assessed on medical grounds, you will need to provide the following proofs:

• A professional diagnosis letter
• Supporting letter from a professional, for example, a social worker, GP, school, family support worker, mental health professional 
• Occupational therapist reports 
• A patient summary (only from the last 12 months will be accepted)
• A full PIP/DLA award letters showing the breakdown of points
• A copy of your most recent prescription 

Medical proofs that won’t be accepted

• Educational Health Plan
• Referral or appointment letters 
• Blue badges