When it comes to acquiring essential equipment for managing a person’s health and care needs, funding restrictions can sometimes pose a challenge. To ensure that the right equipment is purchased and used appropriately, it is crucial to involve a qualified professional occupational therapist (OT) in the assessment process.

This helps to avoid any inappropriate or incorrect purchases, as well as the misuse of funds from service users or providers. The equipment in question may include replacement slings, hoists, seating, shower chairs, profiling beds, or wheelchairs. It’s important to note that assessing and prescribing slings should be done by an OT who has the necessary expertise. While manual handling trainers can demonstrate how to use slings to the staff, they are not qualified to assess them for individuals. If you need guidance on which statutory service should fund the equipment, we are here to support and advise you. However, please be aware that we do not directly provide the equipment.

Once the assessment is completed by the OT and the appropriate equipment is determined, the representative from the equipment company will take care of the ordering and delivery process.

LDOT Consultants are experts in moving and handling, we are moving and handling trainers and also prescribers of equipment needed to undertake correct moving and handling and techniques.

“SINGLE HANDED CARE, A PROVEN APPROACH”  What does this concept mean? Single handed care is in reference to a patient being hoisted (moved and handled) by one person skilled and trained to do so.

All too often we hear providers stating “our policy insists on having 2 carers to move and handle at all times”. This is an unlawful and unacceptable statement, it is a blanket statement made by providers who do not understand the legislation. The misconceptions continue regarding moving and handling as there continues to be insufficient knowledge of specialist equipment with outdated and inflexible approaches which has led to too much generalisation regarding the perceived need for two carers as opposed to one.

Our OTs have accurate knowledge of the legislation around moving and handling as well as the environment, the patient and their associated needs. Following robust assessment of all factors our OTs will be able to use positive risk assessment in conjunction with the mental capacity Act to determine if a patient requires a single carer or double.

If a single carer for moving and handling is identified as a possibility our OTs will recommend specialist equipment to enable this to be achieved in the safest manner possible.All equipment is assessed for, trialled and then prescribed; once equipment is ordered and delivered our OTs will fit equipment and ensure the care plans are fit for purpose including appropriate risk assessments and manual handling plans. This will also include demonstration and training if necessary for those using the prescribed equipment.

It is not as simple as ordering equipment; all factors must have been assessed and considered as each case is individual.

There are a multitude of differing equipment dependent upon the OT assessment outcomes. Comprehensive specialist assessment will identify this.

A single-handed care package offers cost efficiency, least restrictive to the patient, improved privacy and dignity for the patient and improved communication and engagement for the patient, which enhances overall well-being. In the current economic climate with the ongoing cost of health and social care provision, commissioners of all services will need to look at any opportunity to ensure services are as cost-effective as is possible.

LDOT’s Single Handed Assessments comprise of;

• Reviewing moving and handling as often two staff are automatically recommended for this task.
• Reviewing epilepsy management as frequently two staff are automatically recommended for managing epilepsy.
• Reviewing behavioural support plan as frequently two staff are automatically recommended for behavioural management.

Why should you have a specialist seating assessment before purchasing? To identify if specialist seating is necessary and to determine which product is necessary to meet all your postural needs and to ensure cost efficiency of monies and funds.

Why is the right chair important? Specialist seating needs to ensure it offers postural support, comfort, pressure relief and promote the seated persons independence.

Why have an OT complete the seating assessment? OT’s are trained both anatomically and physiologically. To put it simply “We understand the body and how it works”.

Why not just get the seating representative in to do get your seating? A sales representative is knowledgeable about the product specification and function of the chair. They know how to adjust, alter it and set seating up. They are familiar with the optional extras for the chair. They work for the company and some get a commission for selling chairs. A sales representative is not trained in anatomy/physiology. They will not have an OT degree qualification or be HCPC registered.

LDOT Consultants provides customised risk assessments that focus on the individual’s needs to improve care planning. We also offer general risk assessments for services and organisations as needed. This could involve assessments for lone working, desk configurations, and seating arrangements for staff.this might include:

At LDOT, we have a strong partnership with BLACK COUNTRY SENSORY INTEGRATION THERAPY to deliver top-notch Sensory Integration Assessment & Treatment services. Our program caters to both children and adults who may be dealing with conditions like cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, autism, learning disabilities, dyspraxia, or attachment/trauma-related difficulties that impact their sensory processing. During the assessment process, we employ a comprehensive approach to gain a deep understanding of each individual’s unique requirements. The assessment process may involve:

• EASI – Evaluation Ayres Sensory Integration
• SOSI – Structed Observations Sensory Integration
• COMPS – Clinical Observations Motor Postural Skills
• Clinicial Observations
• MABC-2 – Movement MBC-2
• SAAP – Sensory Arrousal Attachment Profile
• SIPT – Sensory Inegration & Praxix Test
• VMI – Visual Moter Integration
• Sensory Profiling
• Interview (either at home, school or clinic visit)

Need help with funding? How do I make a referral?  Find out more here

At our Occupational Therapy assessment, we strive to provide you with a clinical professional opinion that substantiates your health and social care needs. Our team of specialized OT’s are extensively trained and experienced in conducting comprehensive physical, mental, and psychological assessments.

These assessments serve various purposes, such as informing support plans, managing care or cases, applying for Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG’s), providing evidence for CHC/DST assessments, offering a second opinion, independent opinion, or professional recommendations.

As well as our CHC Expertise our combined knowledge of section 117 aftercare Care Act, Mental Health Act, DFG legislation and Autism Act give us the ability to support you with your transforming care agenda and your own local cases. Our professional support during the TCP agenda to re settle your clients offers, specialist assessment of the individual which includes;

• Gathering reports from all other professionals past and present
• Professional opinion of your proposed care provider
• MDT working
• Environmental assessments of proposed accommodatio
• Equipment ax and provision if required
• Adaptation ax and recommendation where required
• Transitional planning
• Bespoke Care planning and risk assessment
• Support during transition
• Aftercare review during re-settlement

LDOT Consultants offer unbiased Mental Capacity Assessments and/or best interest services for DoLS commissioners, catering to clients residing outside the funding local authorities’ jurisdiction. Additionally, they conduct Mental Capacity Assessments for professional deputies. We provide a chair person service to facilitate best interest decisions in compliance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Our best interest assessments are also extended to LA’s and ICB’s who are responsible to commission community deprivation of liberty safeguards for supported living or own home placements which require an application to the court of protection. We will complete the COP3 application on your behalf.

We provide best interest and mental capacity training to services who would like to increase their knowledge, understanding, application and practice.

Case management is recommend in the national framework for CHC once deemed eligible.Case management ensures the recruited provider is getting things right also ensuring needs are regularly monitored, re-assessed and making referrals where necessary. Case management should not undertaken by a care provider.

As clinicians who really understand the continuing health care process, we believe we can offer expert case management in relation to individuals who are CHC eligible, this extends to personal health budget management.

Individuals who decide to utilise a personal health budget (PHB) once identified as eligible for CHC should be case managed for the duration of the personal health budget and CHC eligibility.

A personal health budget is an amount of money to support your identified health and well-being needs, planned and agreed between you and your local NHS team. The aim is to give people with long-term conditions and disabilities greater choice and control over the healthcare and support they receive.

A case manager develops a care plan which sets out your personal health and wellbeing needs, the health outcomes you want to achieve, the amount of money in the budget and how you are going to spend it. Our case manager can assist patient’s to use their personal health budget creatively to pay for a wide range of items and services, including therapies, personal care and equipment. This enables a patient to have more choice and control over the health services and care they receive.

This may include:

• Changes to your environment with environmental design
• Improved care planning and risk assessing
• Preparation for CQC inspections
• Staff training and education
• Approaches
• Best Practice

Our therapist’s continues to strive towards excellence and understanding in relation to Learning Disabled needs. We regularly attend updates and training to maintain our practice to the highest standards.

LDOT Consultants will support your organisation with bespoke care planning which also incorporates risk assessment for your clients. We will review your care plans to ensure all support needs are captured, enhance staff understanding who read and use the care plans ensuring plans are adhered to and followed. We will ensure care planning documentation is of a standard and meaningful for those reading them and reflect the needs of the clients within your service. Successful care planning ensure optimum support for your clients.

LDOT Consultants offer group Learning Disability training tailored to your company needs. We provide training to qualified professionals/OT’s/ therapists who want to improve their understanding of assessing and treating the Learning Disability population.

We undertake training to support workers and teams who wish to further develop their knowledge and skills base of how best to support individuals on a day to day basis with a learning disability.

We provide advanced training to enhance and improve your understanding of the national framework in relation to Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding a primary health care need and attending the MDT meeting to complete the Decision Support Tool (DST) documentation.

Understanding and applying Mental Capacity and best interest in practice can be confusing, we provide training in understanding MCA application in both day to day decisions and circumstances and significant decisions. We give case study examples and explanations to enhance your practice. Completing a mental capacity assessment is everyone’s business and LDOT Consultants will develop your knowledge and skills to confidently apply mental capacity in practice.

We are also Health Education England approved autism trainers and offer autism training for your service to enhance or develop your awareness and understanding of autism

LDOT Consultants are moving and handling train the trainers and also offer this training provision.

There are other area’s of training we provide to include: sensory awareness, understanding neurological condition’s and sight/ hearing impairment. Please ask for details

Many providers install their own sensory rooms however all to often they are not utilised correctly and eventually become redundant and un-used. Sensory equipment is often not utilised correctly and often gets thrown away or broken. Sensory Rooms and equipment are very expensive.

Individual sensory processing assessments will help clients benefit from sensory rooms to meet their individual needs following the OT’s professional recommendations. Sensory rooms are not a one size fits all and individuals have different sensory needs and sensory environments can frequently prove contra-indicatory when used without guidance.

Before sensory rooms are installed or purchased consult with us at LDOT Consultants to ensure your purchase is the most suitable for your individual service user groups. This will avoid un-necessary purchases and ensure correct environment and equipment is purchased to meet generic demands.

We have no connection, vested interest or bias about who or what you should buy, we offer un-biased professional advice to ensure your purchases are the most cost efficient and cost effective for you and your service.

If you are an individual, care provider or day service provision thinking of installing a sensory garden LDOT consultants will assist you with your bespoke garden design re: accessibility, raised bed areas, colour, smells and plants.

We can advise on accessible layout and design to incorporate natural sensory stimuli within the garden to meet your service and service user needs.

LDOT Consultants are experts in assessing travel and road safety for clients with a learning disability, brain injury or neurological condition. We undertake robust specialist assessments of travel and road safety skills and will give you a professional opinion regarding level of need and support with risk assessment and care planning.

We assess in differing environments in the community to cover all aspects of road safety and travel including differing methods of transport.We can support with transport application’s for free bus travel and contribute to informing PIP mobility data following assessment of need. LDOT Consultants also offer travel training and road safety programmes where we are looking to either enable and rehabilitate.

Let LDOT Consultants assess your clients and support with developing personalised bespoke activity schedules which offers routine balance and structure to optimise health and well-being. Our bespoke activity schedules will ensure care plans are meaningful and purposeful following completion of an interest checklist. We will ensure the activity plan also incorporates a balance of work, rest and play.

As clinician’s who have specialised and worked extensively in Continuing health care both as a CHC assessor and lead
co-ordination roles our OT’s are suitably qualified to undertake independent assessment to attend and inform the MDT for DST input.

LDOT Consultants offer CHC co-ordination for ICB’s where required. We offer impartiality, adherence and compliance to the national framework for CHC.

We are also able to offer legal services independent specialist clinical assessments to accurately inform the CHC assessment process on behalf of the client/ patient.

We pride ourselves with the level of expertise in relation to compliance and adherence to the CHC national framework 2022.

As occupational therapist we continue to strive towards excellence and understanding in relation to CHC and LD needs in particular. Regularly attending masterclasses, updates and training to maintain practice to the highest standard. One of our associate OT’s is an independent representative for the Independent review panel (IRP) for NHS England.

For further CHC expertise please visit www.chcotnetwork.co.uk