Disabled people need better specialist equipment

[Guest guest]

Disabled people need better specialist equipment

News-Medical.Net 20-Sep-2004

For many disabled people, assistive technology is crucial to their

ability to choose how they want to live and whether they can live

independently.

Technological support comes in many forms – it can be as simple as a tap

turner, or as complex as an environmental control system. While many

disabled people are already using these technologies successfully, some

people have very complex needs which are not met by the current

equipment or service models.

A new discussion document produced by the Royal College of Physicians

and the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine emphasises the

importance of multi-professional input to customise the equipment,

design individual bespoke solutions and to safely integrate different

kinds of equipment. The document focuses on four key areas of assistive

technology – communication aids, computer access, environmental control

systems and telecare. It includes specific examples to show that

designing the technology around specific needs can have life-enhancing

effects.

‘Specialist Equipment Services for Disabled People: The Need for Change’

makes eight key recommendations in four areas to improve access to

specialist equipment and professional expertise:

Access and assessment

Specialist equipment services for disabled people should be widely and

equitably available Complex need and the integration of disparate

technologies should be overseen by specialist equipment services.

Delivery of services

Evolving equipment services should build upon established provision so

as to harness and best deploy experienced specialist personnel

Specialist services require substantial investment in expertise and

infrastructure and should serve catchments in excess of one million

people.

Clinical Governance and Competence

Clinical governance offers a framework within which specialist

professionals should facilitate and oversee a co-ordinated provision

Supernumerary training posts should be established to facilitate

training, promote innovation and support professionals seeking to

further their expertise.

Allocation of resources

Budgetary provision for specialist equipment services should be sourced

jointly from local authorities and Specialist Commissioners Services

should highlight any financial shortfall rather than tolerating

inappropriate and delayed provision. The document marks the beginning of

an eighteen-month consultation process with service users, user groups,

professional bodies, service providers and commissioners to stimulate

debate and promote best practice. At the end of the consultation period,

the RCP and IPEM intend to host a symposium and produce a final set of

recommendations.

Dr Rajiv Hanspal, Chairman of the Working Party, said:

" This subject is vital for people with disabilities but often overlooked

in service. It is therefore essential that the document starts a healthy

discussion at a national level to ensure a successful consensus

conference and a final set of recommendations. "

Dr Alan -, Honorary Secretary to the Working Party, said:

" Users of specialist equipment deserve the assurance that services

understand both their personal desires and the possibilities provided by

rapidly advancing technologies. This document explores the importance of

specialist services as they address these complex issues and suggests

how the services should be developed for the benefit of disabled

people. "

http://www.rcplondon.ac.uk