SUPPORT NEWS 

SSAFA Forces Help Branch Secretaries 

ACCESS TO MOBILITY SUPPORT

For some branches of SSAFA Forces Help in Scotland the recent decision of the Mobility Bureau to pull out of Scotland had little impact, for others the impact was more significant.  Here at Poppyscotland we have been doing some research into how we could help all caseworkers in Scotland have easier access to not only mobility equipment but also to Occupational Therapists.  This missive aims to let you know how you can access these services.  As part of the introduction process we would like to monitor these arrangements to see if there are any lessons that we need to act on.  Therefore, attached is a proforma that we would be grateful if you could complete and return to us each time you use one of the services listed.  Your co-operation in this regard would be very much appreciated as this will enable us to tailor what we offer to better suit your requirements.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST

Access to Occupational Therapists (OT) across Scotland is variable and we seek to deliver a standard service so that Veterans receive the same speed of delivery irrespective of where they live.  Since January 2007 Poppyscotland  has utilised the services of an OT in private practice.  To date we have used this service on a dozen or so occasions and in each case there have been positive comments from both the caseworker and the beneficiaries.  We have also been investigating the availability of OT's in other areas of Scotland so that we can create a better geographic coverage and therefore reduce our outlay in traveling costs.  We now have three Occupational Therapists that are willing to conduct assessments on yours and our behalf.  The procedures that we would like caseworkers to use are below.

  • At the outset it is important to determine how long the wait is for the system to provide an OT1  We consider that it would be wrong to put a specific time on what is too long a wait and would like to leave it to the caseworker to decide based on each client's needs.  if the caseworker is in any doubt then please give us a call.
  • Once it has been determined that an OT is required the caseworker should contact Jim Macfarlane or Gail Beaton, see contact details attached, to make a request for an assessment to be conducted.  Caseworkers are requested to provide the client's name, address and telephone number and nature of assessment at this stage.
  • Poppyscotland will then arrange for the OT to conduct an assessment.
  • The OT will then make contact with the client directly to arrange an appointment.
  • Once the OT has completed their assessment they will:
    • forward a copy of their assessment to the caseworker in order that the caseworker can proceed with almonising
    • Forward an invoice to Poppyscotland for payment.

Before contacting us to request that an assessment be carried out by an OT we would be grateful if caseworkers could:

  • Confirm the individual's eligibility for our support
  • Confirm that financial distress is evident

1  Caseworkers are requested to contact the relevant Social Work Department, prior to contacting Poppyscotland, to ascertain the estimated waiting time for an OT assessment.

SECOND-HAND VEHICLES

Many of you have geard that we have a stock of second hand electric wheelchairs and scooters - this is colloquially known as "Jim's Garage".  All vehicles held in the pool, have been donated by the Scottish public and are given a maintenance and safety check (if required) by a reputable dealer before being re-issued to our beneficiaries.

Before consideration is given to accessing one of these vehicles we require a completed Form A, an OT's assessment (the earlier detail applies) and a signed statement from the client's doctor to say that the client would benefit on medical grounds to receive an EPV.  We will then consider if we have a suitable vehicle in stock.

In some cases we may not have the exact model suggested by the OT.  If and when this occurs, the normal practice is to arrange for the beneficiary to visit us so that they can select a vehicle which would best suit the recommendations of the OT.

Once a suitable EPV is identified it is taken to the client's home where a full demonstration, instruction, trial run and vehicle care are explained and carried out.  A disclaimer (3 copies) is signed by Poppyscotland, that they are responsible for any breakdowns and that they MUST take out liability insurance.  The disclaimers are distributed to the SSAFA Forces Help Branch Secretary, the Poppyscotland Benevolence Secretary and recipient.