|
|
|
How to obtain and return aids and equipment
There may come a time when a person needs help to manage at home.
This may be something very small, such as a grab rail or something as expensive
as a hoist or stair lift. How does one go about obtaining these items? Who
should one contact? There are three main avenues open to carers - Redbridge Health Care
Trust, London Borough of Redbridge or a private supplier of aids and equipment. REDBRIDGE
HEALTH CARE TRUST Continence
Advisory Service
020 8970 5760 Referrals accepted from individuals, carers, relatives or
professionals. The Continence Advisory Service will arrange for one of their
staff to either see the client at Clinic or in his/her own home if (s) he is
housebound. The needs of the client will then be assessed and arrangements made
for regular delivery of pads. Clients will be Hospital-at-Home
Service Clients who require equipment such as commodes, bedpans, pressure
relieving equipment, hoists or hospital type beds must be receiving care at home
given by the Community Nurse who will organise supplying this equipment. Once the hospital-at-home service is no longer required, carers or
relatives can call 020 8970 5760 (the Continence Advisory Service number)
They will arrange for any unwanted equipment to be collected. Wheelchair
Service
020 8970 5752 Referrals accepted from GPs, Occupational or Physiotherapists. The
client will be seen by department personnel to assess his/her suitability for a
wheelchair. If a client wants a motorised wheelchair there is very strict
criteria which must be met to be eligible for one. There is a free delivery
service. If a wheelchair has been supplied by this service and is being used by
the person it was allocated to, it can be repaired and serviced free. On receipt of a wheelchair, clients get a letter giving the
repairers contact number, a reference number and The NHS Wheelchair Voucher Scheme is now in operation within
Redbridge Health Care Trust. People who are prescribed wheelchairs but who would
prefer a more expensive model than that supplied by the NHS can request vouchers
towards the cost under this scheme. There are two options 'Partnership' and
'Independent'. The 'Partnership' option enables the user to contribute to the cost
of a more expensive wheelchair from a selected range. NHS will own the chair and
be responsible for its maintenance. The 'Independent' option enables the user to purchase the wheelchair
VAT free. He/she will own the chair and be responsible for its maintenance. When a chair which is owned by the NHS is no longer needed, call the
Wheelchair Service to arrange return. Collections are organised by an outside
contractor. Date and time of collection depends on the contractor's schedule. Occupational
Therapy (OT)
Tel: 020 8970 8466 Referrals accepted from Consultants and GPs. Client is seen for an
initial assessment (and rehabilitation if appropriate). Equipment and
adaptations may be requested from social services by the Occupational therapist
following assessment and the delivery and fitting is organised in liaison with
social services. To return items call the Occupational Therapy department who will be
happy to make arrangements with you to discuss collection. If items are loaned from the OT department's own stock, a Loan Form
must be completed and a time scale agreed. At the end of the loan period a check
is made with the client to make arrangements for the return of the equipment. Physiotherapy Department/Community Physiotherapist (Physio) Referrals accepted from Consultants and GPs respectively. Clients
are assessed for any aids needed and these are supplied by the department. To
return unwanted items, please call the Physio department on: 020 8970 8363.
Occupational
Therapy
020 8708 7333 Referrals accepted from individuals, social workers and other
professionals. The client is assessed for the necessary equipment and delivery
is arranged by the OT. However, items costing less than £30.00 must be paid for by the
client. If you need more than one such item you will be asked to pay for all of
them if they are each under £30.00. To return equipment no longer needed, telephone Community Care
Advice Centre on 020 8478 3020 and ask to speak to the OT department.
Although each item is originally sent out with a label giving return details,
these can go astray. Arrangements can be made to collect items from the client's
home. ORGANISATIONS
SUPPLYING EQUIPMENT There are several companies who supply items of equipment. However, if possible you should get some professional advice from a qualified nurse, physiotherapist or occupational therapist about the type of equipment you need. Otherwise you may find yourself spending money on items that do not benefit the client.
The following companies supply both new and reconditioned equipment: Local organisations which will loan equipment.
PLEASE NOTE: The inclusion of any organisation or company in this
information sheet is not
an endorsement of their products. Updated March 2007 | |||||||||
|
[Home]
Redbridge Carers Support Service Third Floor, 17 Station Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 4DW email: office@rcss.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1057505 Company Limited by Guarantee Company No 2959566
|
