HWLG(3)-WS-002 - Janet Creaser

Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee

Inquiry into Wheelchair Services - Written evidence from Janet Creaser

I am a Physiotherapist working for the Learning Disability Service in Wales and would like to make a couple of comments re the wheelchair service.

1. I think there should be smaller services in different areas instead of all being based in Cardiff. This would work better as local       Professionals could develop working relationships with staff which would benefit our service users. At present clinics are held in my area which is Swansea on a monthly basis, this is a new initiative which is an improvement but I feel a dedicated service for Swansea would work better. We do have an excellent Rehab Engineering Unit in Swansea with whom we have an excellent relationship and in consequence the client’s receive a better service.

2. At present we have to write letter’s every time we would like a review of or an adaptation to existing wheelchairs. Sometimes we have to fill out a lengthy form putting in information that the wheelchair service already has. This is a waste of our time and also means delay in dealing with any problems. A simple phone call from involved Professionals should suffice and an appointment given over the phone. This is the way I have worked with other wheelchair services in England, which worked very well.

3. Although we request that we are invited to any appointments we are often not told about them. We have been working with the wheelchair service re this and things have improved slightly but we are often told of appointments at the last minute and cannot always attend. The client’s that we deal with often cannot speak up for themselves and we see them on a long term basis not for just one appointment. Often carers who bring them to appointments don’t know what the problems are. We deal with the clients and their carers or parents and often know background information that does not come up at clinics.

Janet Creaser
Physiotherapist