Occupational Therapy FAQs

  1. I am having problems getting in/out my Chair/Bed/bath/or managing the toilet.  Can you help?
  2. Can I get help to put in a shower?
  3. I have nowhere to keep my electric scooter. Can you help?
  4. I can’t carry things because I use a walking aid.  What can I do?
  5. I need a commode.  Can you help?
  6. I want to buy some equipment myself.  Where do I get it?
  7. I need to borrow a wheelchair.  What should I do?
  8. I am having problems seeing to read and watch TV, can you help?
  9. I need a walking stick.  Where can I get one?
  10. My relative is having falls and I am worried about them.  Can we have a Community Care Alarm?
  11. My child needs equipment because of a disability, where do I go to get this?
  12. I am having problems getting dressed.  Can you help?
  13. I feel unsafe using my front door, I think a rail would help me.  How do I get one?
  14. I need another banister on my stair.  Can someone help?
  15. I need a ramp at my door, can you help?
  16. I no longer need my Occupational Therapy equipment.  How do I return it?
  17. I am having problems when working in the kitchen.  Is there any help I can get?
  18. Can I borrow some equipment for someone who is staying with me on holiday?
  19. My doctor says I need to raise one end of my bed for health reasons.  Who can help?
  20. How long will I have to wait
  21. How long will I have to wait for equipment to be delivered?
  22. I am having difficulties at work because of my disability, can you help?
  23. I have fitted a shower/ ramp in myself, can I claim funding for this?

 

1. I am having problems getting in/out of my Chair/Bed/Bath or managing the toilet.  Can you help?

Someone from the Occupational Therapy Service can visit you at home.  They may be able to make some suggestions or provide some equipment that might help.

Contact the Occupational Therapy Department, 01851 708287

2. Can I get help to put in a shower?

An Occupational Therapist (OT) will be able assess what is most suitable for your needs and make recommendations based on your need and the eligibility critiera. 

3. I have nowhere to keep my electric scooter.  Can you help?

Occupational Therapy are unable to fund storage space.  Your Occupational Therapist may be able to advise on charitable funding for you if you are unable to afford these works.

4. I can’t carry things because I use a walking aid.  What can I do?

A trolley or zimmer “caddy” might help.  Someone from the Occupational Therapy service can visit to make sure it is a safe option. 

5. I need a commode – can you help?

You need to contact your Community Nurse, via your GP surgery, about getting a commode, or print off request form from website and complete.

6. I want to buy some equipment myself. Where do I get it?

The Occupational Therapy service can lend essential equipment to you or can give you information on where to buy things.

There is a lot of information about equipment and suppliers on the internet.  The Disabled Living Foundation has a lot of good information about different types of equipment. It is usually better to discuss what you think you need with an Occupational Therapist before you buy it if you can, as equipment can be expensive and different things suit different people.

7. I need to borrow a wheelchair, what should I do?

If you need to use a wheelchair a lot you should ask your GP or OT if you can have one of your own.  The Red Cross can lend you a wheelchair if they have a suitable one in stock, contact 01851 702897/703275

8. I am having problems seeing to read and watch TV, can you help?

Contact Sight Action and they can come and see you.  They will let you try out different equipment to help you see the TV and to read, Contact 01463 233663.

9. I need a walking stick.  Where can I get one?

You should contact the Physiotherapy Department, contact 01851 702258

10. My relative is having falls and I am worried about them.  Can we have a community care alarm?

You need to contact Faire, 01851 701702, or at faire@cne-siar.gov.uk

11. My child needs equipment because of a disability, where do I go to get this?

The Paediatric Occupational Therapist at the Health Centre, Stornoway, should be asked for advice. 

12. I am having problems getting dressed.  Can you help?

Occupational Therapists may have equipment that could help you or they may be able to help you look at a different method to try.

13. I feel unsafe using my front door; I think a rail would help me.  How do I get one?

Someone from the Occupational Therapy service can visit and organise improvements for you if necessary.

14. I need another banister on my stair, can someone help?

Someone from the Occupational Therapy service can visit and organise improvements for you if necessary.

15. I need a ramp at my front door, can you help?

If you are unable to manage to walk up/down steps and have an NHS wheelchair the Occupational Therapy Team may be able to help.  Contact the Occupational Therapy Department, 01851 708287

16. I no longer need my Occupational Therapy equipment.  How do I return it?

Contact the OT dept on the number below or the Community Equipment Store on 07811179380 or email ces.marybank@nhs.net and the driver will uplift the equipment the next time he is in your area. 

Please do not return the equipment to the hospital as this increases the risk of cross infection.

17. I am having problems when working in the kitchen.  Is there any help I can get?

Occupational Therapists may be able to lend you equipment to make things easier or suggest different ways of working.

18. Can I borrow some equipment for someone who is staying with me on holiday?

The OT team is happy to lend basic items for a holiday loan providing they are available in stock.  We require a minimum of 2 weeks notice for equipment to be delivered.

19. My doctor says I need to raise one end of my bed for health reasons.  Who can help?

The OT Team are not able to lend equipment to only raise one end of a bed.  We would recommend discussing this further with your Community Nurses and to find some way of raising your mattress (e.g. with a foam wedge) rather than the whole bed frame as this can make it unsafe.

20. How long will I have to wait for an assessment?

All referrals are prioritised according to identified risk.

Priority will be given to people with an urgent need. Your referral will be acknowledged by letter.

21. How long will I have to wait for equipment to be delivered?

Lewis and Harris – delivery schedule

Uist and Barras – contact Val or Flora at the Benbecula Social Work Department 01870602425

22. I am having difficulties at work because of my disability, can you help?

We can offer a work place assessment to discuss possible solutions.

23. I have fitted a shower/ ramp in myself, can I claim funding for this?

Grant assistance will not be approved for any works started prior to the formal approval of grant, except in special circumstances and where before the works are started the applicant submits, in writing, good reasons for starting the work and has written authority for proceeding.