Tower Hamlets community occupational therapy service

• What is occupational therapy?
• Can I get help?
• How can occupational therapy help?
• Contacting community occupational therapy service
• What if I’m not eligible?

 

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational Therapy aims to make your everyday activities easier for you to do, improve your quality of life, and help you live as independently as possible in your home and within your community.

Occupational Therapy is provided for people who have a disability which affects their normal daily living activities such as dressing, washing, bathing, getting on and off the toilet, getting in and out of the bath, and preparing and cooking a meal. It also includes issues such as access to employment, education, housing and leisure opportunities.

Can I get help?

Community Occupational Therapy can help you if:

• You are a permanent resident of Tower Hamlets
• You have a medical condition or physical disability that makes every day tasks difficult to do

How can occupational therapy help?

Assessment

If you feel we may be able to help you we would initially complete an assessment of your needs, either via the phone of by visiting you at home.

Advice

The Occupational Therapist may be able to give you advice or information on more suitable housing, put you in touch with other services, or assist carers to maintain their caring role.

Modifying the tasks you do

We may suggest a new way of carrying out certain tasks to make life easier for you, or provide rehabilitation to improve your ability to do a task.

Adapting your home

This may include improving safety by installing stair and grab rails, improving access to your home by using ramps, widening doors, installing a stair-lift, or other options such as adapting your kitchen or bathroom.

The responsibility for providing these adaptations may depend on who owns your property. We can advise you about this if adaptations are needed.

Provide equipment

If you have been assessed as being eligible for our service you may receive equipment. This could include small items such as long handled combs and sponges, specialised cutlery or kettle tippers, to large items such as raised toilet seats, bath lifts and hoists.

Everyone is different, so the services offered to each person will be designed to meet their individual needs.

Contacting community occupational therapy service

If you feel we could help you, a relative, a friend or neighbour, please contact:

Occupational therapy early intervention team, on 020 7364 5948 or 020 7364 5945

The service is open from 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday

You can also contact the occupational therapy service by email or by post:

E-mail: occupationaltherapy@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Community Occupational Therapy Service
Social Services
1 Gladstone Place
Roman Road
London E3 5EU

Occupational Therapists in Independent Practice

Tel: 0800 3894 873

What if I’m not eligible?

Private occupational therapists

If you are not eligible for our service you may choose to consult a private occupational therapist.

There will be a fee for consulting a private occupational therapist.

We cannot reimburse you for any fees or guarantee to act upon or follow up on any recommendations of a Private Occupational Therapist.

The College of Occupational Therapy will provide a list of State Registered Occupational Therapists.

College of Occupational Therapy
106 – 114 Borough High Street
London SE1 1HL

Tel: 020 7357 6480

www.cot.org.uk

Alternative suppliers of equipment for people with disabilities

Tower Hamlets Council strongly recommends that professional advice is sought before purchasing expensive equipment, (the Disabled Living Foundation is a source of expert advice).

We will not reimburse you for any equipment you purchase privately. We are not responsible for repairing, servicing or replacing any equipment, which is purchased privately. All privately purchased equipment is used at your own risk.

You may wish to approach the organisations below if you are not eligible for our service or do not wish to remain on the waiting list. Please remember to shop around to compare prices and look for the best quality and value.

Equipment that has been designed or adapted for people with disabilities is exempt from VAT. Your supplier should give you a form to say you have a disability.

Disabled living foundation

Disabled Living Centres (DLC’s) offer a free service. They do not sell products; they provide demonstrations of equipment and give independent advice. You need to make an appointment to make sure someone is there to help you. There are over forty DLC’s throughout the UK.

The Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) has an extensive range of equipment on display and therapists who give advice, you will need to make an appointment to visit. The DLF also has a national information service; you can write for advice and detailed equipment lists.

Disabled Living Foundation
380 – 384 Harrow Road
London W9 2HU

Tel: 020 7289 6111
www.dlf.org.uk

Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) AskSARA (Self Assessment Rapid Access)

AskSARA is the DLF's online self assessment tool. By answering SARA's questions about yourself and your environment, you will get ideas, useful hints and tips about ways to make your life easier, details of products that might help you, and details of where you can obtain them.

Alternatively people over 60 living in London without access to the internet can contact the DLF’s Helpline on 0845 470 7272 Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm.

Once you have assessed your needs please feel free to discuss with our Occupational Therapy Service to see if you meet the borough eligibility criteria and determine if equipment can be provided for you by Tower Hamlets Council.

www.asksara.org.uk

Ricability

Ricability is an independent charity that researches and publishes unbiased information on products to enable older and disabled people to live more independently.

Ricability
30 Angel Gate
City Road
London 1V 2PT

Tel: 020 7427 2460
Fax: 020 7427 2468
Textphone: 020 7427 2469
www.ricability.org.uk

Centre for accessible environments

If you, a builder or an architect needs advice about making your home easier to get into or move around in, the Centre for Accessible Environments has information on adaptations and building work.

Tel: 020 7357 8182
Fax: 020 7357 8183
www.cae.org.uk

The national register of access consultants has a list of specialist architects.

Tel: 020 7234 0434

Nicholls & Clarke is a local supplier of products used in adaptations. An accessible showroom displays the widely used Phlexicare range.

Nicholls & Clarke
Unit 13/14, Bow Industrial Park
London E15 2DZ

Tel: 020 8986 6212

Shops and suppliers

There are specialist shops in and around London. To check in your local area look under ‘disability equipment’ in the Yellow Pages.

Keep Able

Keep Able is a large shop and there are therapists who will advise you.

Keep Able - London North
Apex Corner
Mill Hill

Tel: 020 8201 0810

Keep Able – Southern Region
11 – 17 Kingston Road
Staines TW18 4QX

Tel: 01784 440044

Some chemists also sell easier living aids and Boots Chemist has a mail order catalogue, which is free and can be found in larger stores.

Mail order purchasing

Mail order companies will send you catalogues free of charge, the advantage of purchasing by mail order means you can shop at home and compare prices but you will not be able to get advice, see the equipment or try it first before purchasing.

• Remember to get independent advice first – try the Disabled Living Foundation

• Ask if they will make a refund if the product does not suit you

• Check the postage charges and delivery times.

Care and mobility
440 Cranbrook Road
Gants Hill
Ilford 1G2 6LL

Tel: 020 8518 3458

RNID – for hearing impaired people
19-23 Featherstone Street
London EC1Y 8SL

Tel: 01733 232607
Text: 01733 238020
www.rnid.org.uk

Mobility World Ltd
70 – 80 Station Road
Harrow
Middlesex
HA1 2RY

Tel: 0870 7407782

Keep Able
Flemming Close
Park Farm
Wellingborough
Northants NN8 3UF

Tel: 01933 679426

British Red Cross
113 Clarenden Park Road
Leicester LE2 3AH

Tel: 0116 270 1462

Nottingham Rehab

Ways and Means Catalogue
Ludlow Hill Road
West Bridgford NG2 6HD

Tel: 01530 418000
www.nrs-uk.co.uk

Cosyfeet – footwear specialists

The Tanyard
Leigh Road
Street
Somerset BA16 OHR

Smith & Nephew

UK sales
Sigings Road
Low Moor Estate
Kirkby-in-Ashfield
NG2 6HD

Tel: 01623 757955

Promedics

Moorgate Street
Blackburn
Lancashire BB2 4BP

Tel: 01254 619000
www.promedics.co.uk

Partially Sighted Society

tel: 01302 323132

RNIB – for visually impaired people

Bakewell Road
Orton Southgate
Peterborough PE2 6XU

Tel: 0845 7023153
Text: 0845 7585691
www.rnib.co.uk

Ashdale Healthcare Marketing

FREEPOST NEA 7044
Bridgehouse
HD6 IJE

Comfy Products

Dale House
Armytage Road
Bridgehouse
HD6 IDT

Tel: 0800 555825

Capability Shop

Cane & Able
Grindleford
Hope Valley
S32 2HE

Tel: 01433 631170

Millercare

Unit 24
The Wenta Business Centre
Colne Way
Watford WD2 4ND

Tel: 01923 232440

Equipment for hire

The Red Cross
Dalston Lane
Hackney E8

Tel: 020 7254 7029

Direct Mobility Hire
8 Cheapside
North Circular Road
Palmers Green
London N13 5ED

Tel: 020 8807 9830
Fax: 020 8807 4213

British Red Cross Society
Wimbledon Branch
Tuition House
3rd Floor
5 – 6 Francis Grove
London SW19 4DT

Ttel: 020 8542 6016

Home Care Equipment Hire
93 Northcote Road
Clapham
London SW1

Tel: 020 7924 4058

All Handling Mobility Ltd
492 Kingston Road
Raynes Park
London SW20 BDX

Tel: 020 8542 2217

Stannah Stairlifts Ltd
Watt Close
East Portway
Andover
Hampshire SP10 3SD

Tel: 01264 332244

Buying Second Hand Equipment

There are advertisements for second hand equipment in Disability Now, this is a monthly newspaper for disabled people.

Disability Now

6 Market Road
London N7 9PW

Tel: 01454 642444
www.disabilitynow.org.uk

Newsletters produced by disability organisations also have advertisements. The Disabled Living Foundation has a free list of them.

The Disability Equipment Register has a monthly magazine.

For a subscription, telephone 01454 318818.

If You Can’t Find What You Need…

If you have a problem and no equipment exists to help you can contact REMAP; they are professional engineers who may be able to design, manufacture and supply a technical aid.

REMAP GB

Hazeldine
Igtham
Sevenoaks
TN15 9AD

Tel: 01732 866105

Mobility Equipment And Walking Aids

Occupational Therapy does not supply walking aids. Your GP will refer you to a Physiotherapist for a mobility assessment if appropriate.

You could also contact

Walking Aid Clinic

Mile End Hospital
275 Bancroft Road
London E1 4DE

Tel: 020 7377 7875

Wheelchair Suppliers

Occupational Therapy does not supply wheelchairs.

Wheelchairs are available in a wide variety of designs and with various accessories.

Referrals should be made to the local Wheelchair Service by your GP.

Tower Hamlets Wheelchair Service supplies wheelchairs and special seating for people with long term and life long needs only. They can also provide advice and information on organisations offering help for users requiring wheelchairs for short-term or occasional use.

Tower Hamlets Wheelchair Service

Mile End Hospital
275 Bancroft Road
London E1 4DG

Tel: 020 8223 8842

Electric Scooter Suppliers

Electric scooters are not provided by Occupational Therapy. These are purchased privately. If you receive Disability Living Allowance –or Mobility Allowance you can use this to help pay for the scooter.

You may also use the Motability Scheme, which could provide the finance for you to purchase a scooter.

Motability

Goodman House
Station Approach
Harlow
Essex CM20 2ET

Tel: 01279 635666

Text: 01279 632273

internet: www.motability.co.uk

Many companies now sell scooters. They also have showroom facilities and informed staff to allow you to try them. Some companies will bring scooters to your home to ensure the suitability for your environment and terrain where it will be used and enable you to choose a scooter that meets your needs.

Points to remember

• A scooter is expensive. A new scooter could cost £1,400.

• Where will you store your scooter and is there good lighting?

• Can you easily get to and from the scooter and in and out of your property? – It may not be possible for Occupational Therapy to install a ramp to your home.

• Are there any electric points to charge the scooter batteries? – They are expensive and need to be maintained.

• Do you have Insurance? – Take advice on insuring your scooter in case of accidents and consider joining a breakdown service.

• After service – check what follow up services the supplier can provide and the cost.

Please note the Occupational Therapy Service is not obliged to assist with storage, charging, or creating access for your scooter.

Normal eligibility criteria would apply.

These are a few suppliers for Electric Scooters

GBL Wheelchair Services

1 – 3 Shield Drive
Brentford
Middlesex TW8 9EX

Tel: 020 8569 8955

Keep Able Centre

11 – 17 Kingston Road
Staines
Middlesex TW1 4QK

Tel: 01748 440044

Lifelong

215 Kingston Road
Ewell

Tel: 020 8394 0444

How to contact us

1 Ewart Place
Gladstone Place
London E3 5EQ

Tel: 020 7364 5948/5945
Fax: 0207 364 5655
E-mail: occupationaltherapy@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Limited Wheelchair Access.

DLR: Bow Church
Tube: Bow Road
Bus: 8