Written Question · S3W-27730 · Session 3
What guidance is issued to local community care partnerships with regard to the provision of equipment and adaptations for people with prog…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance is issued to local community care partnerships with regard to the provision of equipment and adaptations for people with progressive illnesses such as motor neurone disease.
The answer
Current guidance on the provision of equipment and adaptations is contained in NHS circular 1976 (GEN) 90. This guidance splits the provision of equipment into two separate lists “ aids and equipment required on medical or nursing grounds and aids to daily living.
The guidance states that, in broad terms, where the equipment is directly related to the management of an illness, or for the rehabilitation of a patient from hospital then the responsibility lies with the health board. Where equipment is required to help the individual achieve greater independence within the home then the responsibility lies with the local authority social work services.
The Scottish Government is aware that this guidance is now out of date and does not support joint working between social work, housing and the NHS. To address this, the Scottish Government issued revised draft guidance for public consultation on 2 December 2008. The consultation has now closed and officials are working on producing new guidance for publication in November.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/12/03120911/0.
The new guidance no longer distinguishes between health and local authority responsibility, it encourages a partnership approach to the provision of equipment and adaptations. It will enable professionals, users and carers to better understand local health and social care partnerships responsibilities, and create a more consistent approach to the provision of equipment and adaptations across Scotland.
The consultation process also highlighted that the local arrangements for funding of major adaptations within the different housing tenures requires further clarity. Work has commenced within the Scottish Government to produce further guidance on this complex issue.
The guidance states that, in broad terms, where the equipment is directly related to the management of an illness, or for the rehabilitation of a patient from hospital then the responsibility lies with the health board. Where equipment is required to help the individual achieve greater independence within the home then the responsibility lies with the local authority social work services.
The Scottish Government is aware that this guidance is now out of date and does not support joint working between social work, housing and the NHS. To address this, the Scottish Government issued revised draft guidance for public consultation on 2 December 2008. The consultation has now closed and officials are working on producing new guidance for publication in November.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/12/03120911/0.
The new guidance no longer distinguishes between health and local authority responsibility, it encourages a partnership approach to the provision of equipment and adaptations. It will enable professionals, users and carers to better understand local health and social care partnerships responsibilities, and create a more consistent approach to the provision of equipment and adaptations across Scotland.
The consultation process also highlighted that the local arrangements for funding of major adaptations within the different housing tenures requires further clarity. Work has commenced within the Scottish Government to produce further guidance on this complex issue.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S3W-27730 by reference.