Having the right equipment to enable a disabled person to live more independently and also help their carers is vital. Here is given information as to where you can obtain equipment you require or don’t know about.

Sources include social service departments, the NHS, education and employment services and voluntary organisations. Social services and the NHS usually supply equipment on loan.
From social services

Equipment which can make it easier to manage at home is usually provided by social services departments following an assessment by an occupational therapist. How long you have to wait and how much help you get is not always the ideal.

The items supplied can make it easier and safer to deal with everyday tasks such as preparing food or managing your personal care. Simple alterations or adaptations can also be arranged, such as repositioning electrical sockets or fixing handrails.

The type of equipment or adaptation provided will depend on your situation, and can range from straightforward items such as kettle tippers and tap turners in the kitchen, bath seats and raised toilet seats in the bathroom, right through to hoists to help with transferring in and out of bed or bath

Depending on your circumstances, you could be asked to contribute to the cost.

Social services will arrange for an occupational therapist or social worker to make an assessment and if necessary call in the housing department to help. Occupational therapists will also be able to advise you about equipment you can obtain from other sources.

See also Housing and home for information about arranging improvements and adaptations to your home

From the National Health Service

GP services

Your GP can prescribe items from an approved list. These include , for example, elastic stockings, appliances for colostomies and similar conditions, some types of trusses and wound dressings, urinary catheters and urinary collection devices

Wheelchairs

If you have a problem which prevents you moving around your home easily, even for a short time, a wheelchair may be the answer. An occupational therapist or physiotherapist will assess your needs at home, in hospital or at your local NHS wheelchair service.

In Wales the Artificial Limb and Appliance Service (ALAS) (click here for website http://www.wales.nhs.uk/alas) is responsible for providing the wheelchair service and artificial limbs. These services are provided at three Artificial Limb and Appliance Centres (ALACS) at:

Cardiff and Vale Trust
Artificial Limb and Appliance Centre
Rookwood Hospital
Fairwater Road
Llandaff
Cardiff CF5 2YN
Telephone: 029 2041 5415
also
Swansea NHS Trust
Artificial Limb and Appliance Centre
Morriston Hospital
Swansea SA6 6LG
Telephone: 01792 795252
also
North East Wales NHS Trust
Artificial Limb and Appliance Centre
Croesnewydd Road
Wrexham LL13 7NT
Telephone: 01978 727524

The wheelchair service is only provided at the ALACS in Cardiff and Wrexham

How do you choose? The NHS wheelchair service will help you choose a wheelchair that meets your needs, including extras like cushions, arm rests or trays. If the therapist agrees that you could benefit from a more expensive chair than the local service can offer, you may be able to get a voucher that will allow you to pay the difference. However, the voucher scheme is only applicable in England. Not all services may be able to offer this option yet.

Who owns the chair? NHS wheelchairs are provided on loan for as long as needed. If you only need one for a short time, the centre will tell you how to get one from an organisation such as the Red Cross.

Who maintains it ? The NHS will pay for any servicing or repairs so long as they are not caused by misuse or neglect. You will be given the number of the local approved repairer who will be responsible for repairs.

What about a wheelchair for outdoors? If you are severely disabled and could benefit from a powered indoor/out door wheelchair, your wheelchair service may be able to provide one, subject to their professional assessment of your needs. Usually you have to buy outdoor electric wheelchairs, electric scooters or specialist sports wheelchairs for yourself. Your local service will be able to tell you about local distributors.

Walking aids If there is a medical requirement for walking sticks, frames and other walking aids, they can be provided on loan from your local hospital or community health service, usually on the recommendation of a physiotherapist. A deposit may be required.

Artificial limbs If you need an artificial limb, they are provided, maintained and repaired at no charge. Your hospital consultant will refer you to your nearest Disablement Services Centre (DSC), or in Scotland and Wales, Artificial Limb and Appliance Centre (ALAC), where specialist medical staff prescribe the limb best suited to your needs and where you will also receive walking or arm training. The DSCs/ALACs are usually attached to regional hospitals.

Surgical Appliances If you need a surgical appliance (or ‘orthosis’) your GP will be able to refer you to a healthcare professional who will be able to prescribe an appliance to suit your needs. Appliances include elastic hosiery, trusses, surgical footwear, leg appliances, abdominal and spinal supports, surgical brassieres, artificial breasts, arm, neck and head appliances and wigs.

You may be asked to pay a charge for wigs, fabric supports, surgical brassieres and elastic hosiery. If you have a low income this may be waived, or you may be offered some financial assistance

Environmental control systems

What are they? Environmental control systems help people with a severe physical disability by enabling them to operate appliances and equipment in the home from a central control, worked if necessary by switches adapted to their individual requirements. They can be linked with a wide range of equipment such as alarms, door locks, intercoms. telephone, lights, heaters, beds, curtains, radios, televisions, communication aids and computers.

How do you get them? Contact an occupational therapist in the social services or NHS who will be able to tell you about the systems available. Otherwise ask your GP or community nurse. You will then be referred to a medical consultant who acts as the environmental control assessor in your area.

If the assessor decides equipment would help , an occupational therapist from social services may be asked to assist with any necessary arrangements for installation. Equipment is provided on loan and maintained and serviced free of charge.

From the Employment service See the section on Access to Work to find out about help with equipment you may need to work.Your local Jobcentre will put you in touch with a Disability Employment Adviser. From education and training services See section on Education From voluntary organisations Some of the groups named in the Addresses section will give you information about obtaining equipment, including what can be found in local shops and pharmacies. Some groups may also help with the supply of equipment.The Red Cross Medical Loan Service through your local branch (see phone book) can lend equipment including commodes, wheelchairs and walking frames to meet urgent short-term needs. They may sometimes charge a handling fee. St John Ambulance Brigade may also be able to help in some areas.REMAP may be able to help if you need a specially adapted item outside the range of standard aids and equipment on the market. Tel: 01732 883818

Awear (formerly the National Association of Clothing Workshops) brings together services around the country which may help with the clothing needs of disabled people. Tel: 0115 953 0439

Disabled Living Centres (DLCs)
For more information Click Here

These centres around the UK aim to increase opportunities for people to live independently. They offer disabled people the chance to see and try out a wide range of products to find those that suit their needs.They offer free and independent advice about what is available, how much it costs and where to get it. Many centres also arrange training on a variety of topics of interest to disabled people, carers and professionals, for which there is generally a fee.

The centres vary in size, scope and opening hours, so it is best to telephone before visiting.

The Disabled Living Centres Council (DLCC), the national organisation for DLCs, can give you up to date information about your nearest centre.