Annual Review Questions & Responses

Wheelchair Repair Service

We need a better system on emergency repair calls to assistwheelchair users at weekends. It is none existent at the moment. Sometimes the problem is very easily put right, and just now there is noassessment of the kind of repair needed. For instance one ladywheelchair user had a bracket come off her wheelchair. This meant thatshe could not use the wheelchair, and thus the toilet or cookingfacilities for the whole weekend. On the phone, when she said it was anemergency the reply was 'yes, everybody says that' and the man hung up!

All that was needed was a worker with a screw driver to replace thebracket, but she spent a VERY distressing weekend because she was notasked the nature of the problem.

Response provided by David Cameron, Chairman, NHS Grampian

In terms of improvements to the wheelchair repair service, I can confirm that Richard Carey, Chief Executive of NHS Grampian, is currently chairing a national project board to analyse the recommendations of a recent independent review of NHS wheelchair and seating services. Additional resource has been identified throughout Scotland and locally a draft development plan has been prepared detailing priorities for further investment. As mentioned we plan to augment our planned maintenance for wheelchair users who are very dependent on their wheelchair. We aim to be able to have an appropriate maintenance interval in place for all such wheelchairs. The technician will check the wheelchair and replace any parts showing signs of wear as it is clearly better to fix problems before they become an emergency.

In relation to emergency or urgent situations that arise at weekends, we must balance this with the need to have an efficient service that gives value for money and therefore we are looking at solutions for this on a broader front. All the Community Health Partnerships in Grampian are taking forward plans to create or further enhance their joint equipment stores and services. In Aberdeen, these plans are being linked closely to the requirement to improve services for wheelchair users. We are aiming to have a 7 day week service for emergencies, including a helpline and on-call service for weekends and public holidays. By closer working between the wheelchair services and other community equipment services we plan to remain efficient but to offer enhanced quality.

I am very sorry for the treatment received on the telephone by the lady referred to in your question and I would be happy to speak further with her if she wishes.

Outpatient Appointments

In view of the lack of suitable public transport to Aberdeen from here (Tarland), and other similar areas, would it not be possible for patients from such areas to be given afternoon appointments to facilitate travel when private transport is not an option.

There is, to my knowledge, at least one clinic (pacemaker) which does not make appointments later than 10.45am, thus causing considerable travel problems to those from rural areas requiring these services.

Response provided by David Cameron, Chairman, NHS Grampian

It is already standard practice within Aberdeen Hospitals to try and give outpatient appointments later in the day for those coming from outside the city. However where clinics are highly specialised and/or infrequent it is not always possible to do this. Pacemaker clinics fall into this category – there are currently 3 morning and 2 afternoon pacemaker clinics each week and these are dealing with 3 or 4 different types of pacemaker which require specialist technician input. Patients are grouped according to the type of their pacemaker so that there can be appropriate technician input to the appointment. Without knowing the specifics of your case I cannot say whether it would be possible for you to attend an afternoon clinic. If you have not already done so, I suggest you enquire of the clinic directly. All outpatient appointment cards give patients a contact number to call should the time given be unsuitable and clinic staff will do their utmost to accommodate individual needs. If you wish me to follow this up on your behalf then I would be happy to do so.

More generally NHS Grampian’s strategy is to continue to increase the numbers of outpatient clinics taking place within the community thus reducing travel requirements. We are also working with partner organisations to develop the right transport infrastructure for Grampian so that those who have to come into Aberdeen can get there as easily as possible. At its meeting in August the NHS Board approved its first joint Health Transport Action Plan