Dumfries and Galloway Council and NHS Dumfries and Galloway are working together under Putting You First to streamline the equipment service delivered across the region.
Occupational therapy staff from the Council make home visits to assess individual needs. In the past any equipment required would be delivered and fitted by Occupational Therapy staff or ordered from NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s Integrated Community Equipment Service (ICES). Staff from this department would deliver the equipment to the person’s home and Occupational Therapy staff would return to fit and demonstrate the equipment.
Senior Occupational Therapist for the east of the region, Fiona Wright, has been involved with this important test of change from the start. She said: “The main aim of this test is to ensure that people are provided with the equipment they need as quickly as possible.
“By transferring fitting and demonstrations to staff from ICES we estimate that we will free up 52 hours a week of Council Occupational therapy staff time. Because the project will also include equipment requests from NHS Occupational therapy staff means they will be able carry out more assessments and other related Occupational therapy work.”
ICES Manager Robert McCallay also had an important role in planning and developing this significant change. He said: “As part of this test we’re working with staff to increase the range of items they can deliver, fit and demonstrate. This means the end user would have fewer people coming to their home as part of the process for getting equipment and adaptations assessed, delivered and fitted.
“This test will have the added benefit of allowing ICES to provide a service five days a week across the whole region which means we can deliver, fit and demonstrate products more quickly. The additional vehicle and staff member provided by Putting You First also means we can respond more quickly to the delivery of larger pieces of equipment which require two members of staff, for example hospital beds.”
If you or someone you know would benefit from an assessment for equipment and adaptations to their home please contact Social Work Services on 030 33 33 3001.
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