Wales Prioritizing Access To Wheelchairs And Health Equipment
New measures to speed up delivery of wheelchairs to patients who need them have been announced by Health Minister Edwina Hart.
Faster access to equipment including communication aids and artificial limbs will also be prioritised, Mrs Hart told the Health, Well-Being and Local Government Committee.
Around 70,000 people in Wales are wheelchair users – about one in every 43 people. Although the vast majority of wheelchairs are delivered to patients within 21 days of referral, in more complex cases waiting times are sometimes longer.
The measures will include:
- Establishing a single organisation with responsibility for managing and delivering equipment to create a specialist, dedicated service – currently five centres issue equipment across Wales;
- Developing new all-Wales indicators to show performance across the country in ensuring fast access to equipment, to focus local NHS organisations’ attention on reducing waits;
- A review of current waiting list processes so that waits for wheelchairs are brought within overall waiting time targets – currently there is no target setting a maximum wait for wheelchairs; and,
- A review of the commissioning and provision of wheelchairs for short-term loan purposes.
A project board will be established to take forward the measures and will report by June 2010.
Mrs Hart will tell the committee:
“Across the four UK countries, Wales provides patients with the largest range of these types of equipment. This is a deliberate strategy to enable clinical needs to be met to best effect and avoiding unnecessary compromises in provision.
“Whilst this is a positive factor in offering choice to patients, it can have a negative impact on waiting times. The broader the range of equipment, the more complex the prescribing and commissioning process and, therefore, the longer the lead-in times for delivery and commissioning.
“The work that I’m prioritising today will ensure speedier access to equipment for those patients that currently are experiencing delays.”
Topics: 2010, Britain, Governance, government, Great Britain, health care, Health Care, healthcare, medical equipment, moniter, monitor, news, patient, U.K., UK, United Kingdom, Wales, Welsh Assembly Government, wheelchair
Print This Article in Plain Text
|
|
Latest Headlines
- Osama Bin Laden Dead?
- Florida To Share $1 Billion For Gulf Coast Restoration Efforts
- Texas Prays For Rain During Extreme Drought Conditions
- Governor Christie Takes Action To Reduce Diesel Emissions, Improve Air Quality
- Governor McDonnell Outlines Draft Transportation Improvement Program
- Alaska Energy Bill Passes Legislature
- Illinois State Building Receives ENERGY STAR Award
- Homeland Security Begins Using National Terrorism Advisory System
- U.S. Outlines New Health Insurance Options For Graduating College Students
- Electrolux Expands In North Carolina, To Create 200 Jobs In Charlotte
- Virginia Storm Victims To Receive Tax Extension
- U.S. Expands Broadband Investment For Rural Areas To Accelerate Job Creation
- U.S. To Invest $130 Million For Advanced Energy Research
- Michigan Passes “I’m Sorry” Bill
- Kentucky Sells Two State Aircraft To Save Taxpayer Dollars
