Update Southend Wheelchair Service Karen Christensen

Then (September 2006) Overview of service - community, standard, specialist and postural seating solutions Budget - Local development plan (LDP) bid for electrically powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs

Then, cont…. Waiting lists: 52 clients waiting for an occupational therapy assessment, max.12 months 57 clients waiting for an assistant assessment, max wait 3 months 34 clients waiting for assessment for indoor/outdoor wheelchair (EPIOC), max wait 4.5 years.

What We Did… Purchased stock of EPIOCs with additional funding Employed additional Occupational Therapy staff Re-launched the Wheelchair User Group Set up weekly assessment clinics for EPIOCs

Now (January 2007) 34 clients waiting for an occupational therapy assessment, average wait 8 months 32 clients waiting for an assistant assessment, average wait 3 months

EPIOCs Weekly assessment clinics running to end of February 2007 to clear existing backlog All clients waiting have appointment and chairs are being issued New clients offered assessment clinics on monthly basis Process in place to minimise wait