About Our Services

About our services

We aim to work as a multi-disciplinary team to meet the clinical requirements of our service users. The Services we offer are as follows: 

• Complex Postural Assessment

• Complex Postural and Medical Assessment

• Indoor and Outdoor Powered Wheelchair Assessment (EPIOC)

• Special Controls

• Rehabilitation Assessment and Provision Service

• Moulded Toilet/ Shower Chairs

• Other (Second opinions)

 

 

 

Complex postural assessment (relating to mobility)

An assessment with a Specialist Therapist and Specialist Rehabilitation Engineer for clients who require specialist team input regarding clinical management of their condition and needs associated with posture and/ or mobility. This includes consideration of functional and lifestyle/ social needs, unique solutions such as ventilator use, pressure care management and custom moulded seats. To fulfil the needs of the service user, the team can call upon skills to assess for:

• Custom moulded seats.

• Bespoke measured seats.

• The design of hybrid custom seating.

• The design of modifications, both custom builds or ‘off the shelf’ items, to tailor wheelchairs and seats with risk assessments considered.

• The prescription of pressure relieving cushions and posture controlling cushions including air and gel. 

 

The recommendations with regards to equipment provision made by the Regional Posture and Mobility Service will reflect West Midlands Wheelchair Services provisions and are in line with national NHS equipment trends of provision.

 

Complex postural and medical assessment

Clients who may benefit from a multi-disciplinary assessment, including a Consultant, to investigate causes and medical management of their needs, such as spasticity management. The assessment establishes user or carer goals for this episode of care and recommends appropriate interventions. These may include seating/ equipment provision, medication changes and referrals on to other healthcare professionals/ departments.

 

 

Powered wheelchair assessment

EPIOC (Electrically Powered Indoor/Outdoor Chair) medical and practical assessments can be undertaken at WMRC if it is in the user’s interests to safely improve their mobility and independence. The assessments take place with a Consultant, Rehabilitation Engineer and Therapist.

 

 

special controls

Assessment of clients who have difficulty using standard controls on a powered chair. Considering user goals, environment and postural management, we aim to determine the optimal control method (either bespoke or ‘off the shelf’) to meet mobility needs in a safe and effective manner.

 

 

Rehabilitation assessment and provision service

A service to support ward teams in Rehabilitation Hospitals in the West Midlands area. The Service is to cover the need for provision of wheelchairs as part of early in-patient Rehabilitation where prognosis may be unclear, changeable and the Local Wheelchair Services would not yet be involved (manual and powered equipment services are in place). The team aims to provide suitable loan equipment and then makes recommendations to the Local Wheelchair Service with regards to long term prescription.

 

 

Moulded toilet / shower chairs

The team are able to cast for custom moulded seats to be used as toilet or shower chairs. A home assessment (or assessment of the environment where the chair will be used) is completed as part of this and then the client will be invited to clinic for the casting appointment. The client will need to be referred to the Service with funding agreed by the relevant local team and the purchase order will need to have been received before the casting appointment takes place (but after the initial home assessment).

 

 

Other (second opinions)

A referral may be made to the Service for a second opinion. The assessment will take place in partnership with the Local Wheelchair Service; a representative may be present from the local service or the team will endeavour to discuss the reason for referral prior to the assessment taking place. The second opinion relates to assessment outcomes and actions at local level that are disputed or high risk coupled with significant outcome uncertainty.