Assistive technology news

If you want to keep up to date with the world of AT, how AT is being used in Tower Hamlets and how this will affect you you’ve come to the right place.

What is Assistive Technology?

“Assistive Technology is any item, piece of equipment or system that is used to increase, maintain and improve the functional capabilities and independence of people with cognitive, physical or communication difficulties.” - Audit Commission report, Assistive Technology, Feb 2004.

This could be a number of things that support the management of needs, risks and promotes independence for a service user or carer. This could be anything from a pair of glasses to a pendant alarm or even the use of social media and the internet.

Assistive Technology can also be used to support professionals/staffs to carry out their day to day roles for example through using Telehealth Technology or conference calling like Skype.

The assistive technology team is made up of three Implementation Officers (Scott Aquilina, Fiona Green and Julie Jituboh), an AT Monitoring Officer (vacant) and the AT Strategy Manager (vacant). Currently the Implementation officers

• oversee the requests for assistive technology
• run reports on volumes, cost reductions, usage
• raise awareness (awareness sessions, road shows)
• construct and deliver all levels of training
• provide 1:1 support
• produce case studies
• research into new assistive technology
• update the list of available equipment

The Telecare team are a separate function to the Assistive Technology team,

Awareness sessions and road shows case studies.

Useful links

Training for external staff (NHS, CMHT, staff without access to Frameworking).
Reference materials, guidelines and contact details