In September 2025, at the age of 50, Annette Barnett had a heart attack and a spinal stroke. She was admitted to Edinburgh's Royal Infirmary and later transferred to the National Spinal Injuries Unit at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for rehabilitation.
A home she could not return to
The Hospital Housing Clinic began working with Annette in January 2026, by which point her occupational therapist had assessed her existing accommodation — a private rented flat in Edinburgh — as unsuitable for her to return to.
Our broker Eve Young helped Annette with her application to EdIndex, which covers all social housing options with the council and housing associations in Edinburgh, and also looked at options for mid-market rent.
With her discharge date rapidly approaching, Annette felt her "mental health was at an all-time low". Recovering from a spinal stroke, she had the added worry of not knowing where she would end up living, and was terrified of being discharged into another hospital or a care home.
The right flat, close to family
Through our vacancy list — a list of available properties we keep updated with registered social landlords and housing associations — our broker found an accessible two-bedroom, ground-floor flat owned and managed by Blackwood Homes and Care. Ideally situated close to Annette's family, including her two grown-up sons, it was perfect for Annette and her daughter Rebekah, 25, to move into.
The house I'm in now is like it was made for me and all my family are nearby. I'm very, very grateful. If this service wasn't here, I don't know where I'd be, or what I'd be.
Annette is now happily settled in her new home, where she can continue her recovery with confidence and peace of mind.
We are delighted to hear that Annette has settled so well into her new home. Stories like Annette's highlight the importance of organisations working together to help people move from hospital rehabilitation into the right home and support them to live independently.
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