Code of Practice for Disability Equipment, Wheelchair and Seating Services

A Quality Framework for Procurement and Provision of Services

Discover everything you need to know about planning, commissioning, assessing for and providing disability equipment, wheelchair and seating services safely and effectively in this comprehensive and unique Code of Practice.

To address the impending global care crisis resulting from the growing elderly population and an increase in the number of people living with long term conditions, there needs to be better deployment of the full range of disability equipment, with a clear strategy, for enabling independent living, enhancing disabled people’s employment prospects and empowering individuals to take control and manage their own care.

To achieve this effectively there need to be the right structures and processes in place to ensure timely and safe provision of the right equipment and associated services, thereby improving outcomes for service users.

This Code provides a template for taking these actions and following it will go a long way in achieving these aims.

“As this new Code spans across a range of disability equipment and assistive technology related services, including wheelchair and seating, and across all sectors, it will play an important role in supporting seamless care pathways, paving the way for true integration and breaking down the artificial and long standing silos between services and organisations – something that needs to happen if we really want to address the funding crisis and support disabled and elderly people.” Sir Bert Massie CBE, DL

The Code relates mainly to disability equipment, wheelchair and seating services, and applies in every setting where these services are provided. It also applies more generally to other assistive technology related services, and provides the necessary links to these services so that holistic, integrated and person-centred care can become a reality.

The Code can be used for many purposes: as a general guide, for tendering services, performance and risk management, regulatory compliance, strategic and operational purposes and much more. It puts the user at the heart of services.

The Code sets a national (UK), and perhaps international, benchmark against which services can be measured, as well as a realistic level of service people should expect to receive.

“However optimistic and committed governments and organisations are to improving outcomes for disabled people, practical steps are required to make these improvements; I believe this Code lays down steps that need to be taken. Let’s just hope it is followed!” The Baroness Grey-Thompson DBE, DL

 

Published: 28/04/2015
ISBN: 9780956909510
eISBN: 9781784629649
Format: Paperback/eBook

 

AREAS COVERED BY THE CODE OF PRACTICE FOR DISABILITY EQUIPMENT, WHEELCHAIR AND SEATING SERVICES

Part 1: Commissioning and Governance

Code Standard 1 – Service Requirements and Specifications

Code Standard 2 – Partnerships and Joint Working Arrangements

Code Standard 3 – Funding Arrangements

Code Standard 4 – Contractual Arrangements

Code Standard 5 – Legal, Regulatory and Welfare Obligations

Code Standard 6 – Governance and Risk Management

Code Standard 7 – Eligibility Criteria

Code Standard 8 – Contract and Performance Management

 

Part 2: Service Provision

Code Standard 9   – Operational Management

Code Standard 10 – Quality Management Systems

Code Standard 11 – Training and Qualifications

Code Standard 12 – Information Technology and Information Management

Code Standard 13 – Health and Safety Management

Code Standard 14 – Transportation

Code Standard 15 – Decontamination

Code Standard 16 – Performance Management

Code Standard 17 – Emergency and Out-of-hours Cover

Code Standard 18 – Stock Management

Code Standard 19 – Recycling

Code Standard 20 – Assembling, Fitting and Demonstrating Equipment

Code Standard 21 – Minor Adaptations

Code Standard 22 – Manual Handling

Code Standard 23 – Medical Device Management

 

Part 3: Clinical and Professional Responsibilities

Code Standard 24 – Assessing the Service User’s Equipment Needs

Code Standard 25 – Managing Multiple Assessments

Code Standard 26 – Assessing the Home and Environment

Code Standard 27 – Training in Equipment Provision and Use

Code Standard 28 – Transportation of Equipment

Code Standard 29 – Selecting and Purchasing Equipment

Code Standard 30 – Demonstrating and Trialling Complex, Specialist and Children’s Equipment

Code Standard 31 – Equipment-related Risk Assessments

Code Standard 32 – Reviewing Equipment and Equipment Needs

Code Standard 33 – Trusted Assessor

Code Standard 34 – Self-assessment for Equipment

Code Standard 35 – Managing Equipment Budgets

 

Part 4: Peripheral Issues and Specialist Areas

Code Standard 36 – Equipment in Special Schools

Code Standard 37 – Complex, Specialist and Children’s Equipment

Code Standard 38 – Continuing Healthcare Equipment

Code Standard 39 – Equipment in Care Homes

Code Standard 40 – Hospital Discharge Arrangements

Code Standard 41 – Alternative Funding Options for Equipment

Code Standard 42 – Establishing Links between Assistive Technology-related Services

Code Standard 43 – Third-party Contractors

Code Standard 44 – Outsourced Service Providers

Code Standard 45 – Involvement of Service Users and Carers

Code Standard 46 – Cross-border Protocol

Code Standard 47 – Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) and Major Adaptations