At Enabled Living, our Occupational Therapy team work in partnership with you to help you live the life you choose. We work on behalf of local authority social care teams or social housing providers to ensure you are seen as quickly as possible.
We have a dedicated team, with heaps of experience, that we have handpicked to support you through your journey. Whether this is equipment provision, recommending adaptations, teaching you techniques or other changes, we will always aim to keep you at the centre of our work.
How we work
Usually, we will be sent your details from a partner organisation who have commissioned us to provide this service for you. We will contact you and arrange to visit you at home at your convenience. At this appointment, your Occupational Therapist will talk to you to find out which aspects of your daily life are presenting a challenge. Your Occupational Therapist will then work with you to improve your situation. This could be through:
finding other ways of carrying out your daily activities
providing you tailored advice and information
loaning specialist equipment to support you with your daily activities
recommending minor adaptations or major adaptations to help you access areas of your home that you may be finding challenging
Wheelchair Service current waiting times for assessment by category of need for non-urgent cases.
Category
Waiting time
Low
Up to 4 months
Medium
Up to 18 months
High
Up to 18 months
Specialist
Up to 6 months
Definitions of levels of need as defined in the NHS England Guidance
Low
Occasional users of wheelchair with relatively simple needs that can be readily met.
Do not have postural or special seating needs.
Physical condition is stable, or not expected to change significantly.
Assessment does not typically require specialist staff.
Limited (or no) requirement for continued follow up/review.
Medium Need
Daily users of wheelchair, or use for significant periods most days.
Have some postural or seating needs.
Physical condition may be expected to change (e.g. weight gain / loss; some degenerative conditions).
Comprehensive, holistic assessment by skilled assessor required.
Regular follow up / review.
High Need
Permanent users who are fully dependent on their wheelchair for all mobility needs. and
Complex postural or seating requirements (e.g. for high levels of physical deformity). or
Physical condition may be expected to change / degenerate over time. or
Very active users, requiring ultra-lightweight equipment to maintain high level of independence.
In all cases
Comprehensive, holistic assessment by skilled assessor required.
Regular follow up / review with frequent adjustment required/expected.
Specialist Need
Permanent users who are fully dependent on their wheelchair for all mobility needs. and
Highly complex postural or seating requirements (e.g. for high levels of physical disability) and / or are at greatest risk to their health and well-being. and
Physical condition may be expected to change / degenerate over time. or
Have complex and / or fluctuating medical conditions and multiple disabilities, which may include physical, cognitive, sensory and learning aspects. or
They are likely to require 24 hour postural management due to; poor trunk control, inability to sit without support, limited upper limb function, possible spinal curvature and joint contractures. or
They are at high risk of secondary complications due to their levels of disability such as contractures, chest infections and respiratory diseases.
The most common diagnoses for people who need specialist wheelchair services are: cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, motor neurone disease, high level spinal cord injuries.
In all cases
Regular follow up / review with frequent adjustment required / expected.
Comprehensive, holistic assessment by skilled assessor required.