I’m a hospital worker left without heating or hot water for three MONTHS – I have to wear a coat to bed on -12C nights

A HOSPITAL worker has been without heating and hot water for three months while living on-site.

Susan Crabtree said her flat at Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales gets so cold she is forced to wear a coat to bed.

The caterer, who has worked there for more than 11 years, said: "How can this be allowed to happen?"

Her boiler was meant to be turned on on October 1 but it remained off until December 23.

However Susan claims that even now neither her heating nor hot water is working properly.

It has meant only being able to have "tepid" showers between shifts and sleeping in pyjamas, a dressing gown and a coat.

Susan also said she prefers being at work to home as the ovens in the kitchen provide a welcome break from the bitter cold.

The mercury plunged to as low as -12C in some parts of Wales in December - the coldest overnight temperature in 12 years.

Susan, who lives at Carmarthen House at the Heath campus, said the conditions are worsening her long Covid symptoms.

She has suffered with a bad chest over the Christmas period, but her pleas for help are being ignored, she said.

"I've had no heating for months and the water isn't warm either," she added.

"During the recent cold spell that we had, I had to have my pyjamas, my dressing gown, and a coat on when I went to bed just to keep warm.

"I'm struggling with my chest now too.

"I've got long Covid anyway but it's being made a lot worse by the cold.

"It’s so frustrating because I can feel myself being made more and more unwell but I can’t seem to do anything about it."

Susan said she now dreads returning home after work each day.

I’m at the end of my tether now – I don’t know where else to turn.

Susan Crabtree

"I worked all over Christmas this year – Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and the next day," she said.

"People always congratulate me for that but the fact is I was also going in to keep warm.

"When I’m in the kitchen and the ovens are on I just think how lovely and warm it is and I often think I’d rather be in work than back in my flat."

Susan insists she has "tried everything" but her dire situation remains the same.

"I’ve gone to maintenance, my managers at work, a councillor, Citizens Advice – I’ve even tried to get in touch with the chief executive of the health board. But yet I’m still waiting," she said.

"I’m at the end of my tether now – I don’t know where else to turn."

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board apologised for the delays, blaming the change in weather, the age of the building and national supply issues.

It said the heating systems have been fully operation at Carmarthen House since December 23.

A spokesperson added: "Thank you to residents for their patience while the issues were resolved."