Assistive technology clinic
This service supports children and young adults under the age of 19 with complex physical disabilities who are experiencing problems with activities of daily living.
What does this service provide?
Who we are
We are a team of rehabilitation engineers whose aim is to make sure that each piece of equipment is used to its maximum potential, enabling each user to gain a greater degree of independence.
What we do
We provide expert advice on the adaptation or modification of equipment used by children and young adults under the age of 20 with a complex disability, for example, bathing, toileting equipment, static seating, trikes or walkers.
We help patients achieve mobility, adapting trikes and walkers to cater to each individual’s needs. We aim to provide you with the report within four to six weeks of attending the clinic. If you have any questions, please contact our clinic secretary.
We provide a holistic approach, working with you, your family, and your local team, taking an overview of the issues you’re facing, working through what’s most important and prioritising areas for development.
Appointment information
Appointment types
Each assessment depends on the individual but on average will last for approximately 2 hours and are held at Chailey Clinical Services.
During your assessment, members of our engineering team will work with you and your local therapists to provide personalised equipment when there is no commercial alternative available. Equipment may be made especially for you, or we may be able to modify your existing equipment.
We start by looking at your existing equipment and you can discuss any hopes or concerns and ask any questions. We may take photos of you using the equipment for our medical records only.
Your local therapist will discuss what you hope to achieve with the equipment and our engineer will suggest possible solutions. At the end of your assessment, the options available and the decisions made will be recorded.
Wherever possible, our engineer will give you a timescale in which you can expect to receive your equipment and a second appointment will be scheduled if necessary. At that second appointment you will be able to trial the equipment before it is finished or you take it home. We will provide you with any information on how to care for the equipment and you are welcome to call us if you have any questions.
Who you’ll see
You’ll meet with our rehabilitation engineers and clinical engineers, alongside your local therapist, who will need to attend the appointment with you.
Your appointment contact (email, telephone, or letter) will provide you with more detailed information.
What to bring to the clinic?
It is important that you bring any equipment you are currently using that does not meet your needs and anything else that you think might help demonstrate the problems you are having.
How can I access this service?
We accept referrals from your GP or therapist. Our service is available to children and young adults under the age of 20 who use assistive technology.
We accept referrals from any area but if your GP is located outside of Sussex we will require funding to be obtained before acceptance.
Adult referrals are accepted but special funding is required.
If a review or new appointment is required, a new referral will have to be made.
Where can I access this service?
Let's get social
You can also get involved by engaging with our service's social media accounts by helping with the latest fundraisers and events.
Get the best from your NHS
If you need advice about our services, facilities or staff, or would like to make a comment, please contact Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS).
Contact details
You can contact PALS by the following:
Telephone: 01273 242 292Email: sc-tr.pals@nhs.net
Give feedback
Tell us what you think about our services, what we are good at, where we can improve, and what matters to you? All feedback will be shared anonymously wherever possible, but if you have any questions about this, please ask.
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