Occupational Therapy

The Occupational Therapy team receive numerous requests on a daily basis for assessments.

In order to effectively manage all requests, the following criteria is used to prioritise each request.  An indiciation of the assessment timescale is details for each level. 
 

Level 1: Prevention of admission to hospital

If the person is at risk of having to be admitted to hospital due to their care needs, the Occupational Therapy assessment will be given a priority level 1 rating.

Timescale for assessment:  1 - 2 days

Level 2: Priority

To be assessed as at level 2 Priority, the assessment will indicate: 

• The person / their carer(s) is / are at critical risk of harm / injury
• Moving and handling needs from faulty equipment are identified e.g. replacement slings/hoists/CTH repairs indicated
• Diagnosis is terminal and requirement for Occupational Therapy involvement is critical
• There are major risk factors but they are not an actual or immediate threat to the health, well-being and independence of a client
• A new referral of clients where there has been a significant deterioration
• The person is living alone and having significant difficulty with personal care tasks eg. dressing, transfers.
• There is a recent history of multiple falls
• Carer stress or risk of injury to carer or self
• Difficulties with bathing where personal hygiene is a health issue, e.g. certain skin conditions
• Significant problems with access to essential facilities within the home eg. toilet
• Significant problems with access for essential hospital or day-care services

Timescale for assessment:  within 10 working days

Level 3: Routine Occupational Therapy Assessment

All other Occupational Therapy requests will be considered as Level 3: Routine. This includes requests for:

• Assessment for major adaptations and large maintainable equipment such as wet floors, s/lifts, semi-permanent/ permanent ramps.
• Postural seating assessments
• Health and Housing assessments
• Bathing needs

Timescale for assessment:  within 12 weeks