Possum Equipment (Hansard, 16 June 1972)

§ Mr. Carter-Jones
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the Northern Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement;
(2) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the North-Eastern Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement;
(3) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the Eastern Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has 429W been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement;
(4) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the South-Eastern Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement;

Regional Hospital Board Number of patients assessed Number for whom selector equipment prescribed Quadriplegia

Northern … … … … … Nil Nil —

North Eastern … … … … 2 2 1

Eastern … … … … … 5 5 2

South Eastern … … … … 5 4 1

Western … … … … … 19 19 4†

Total … … … … 31 30¶

Number of each disability where equipment prescribed

Regional Hospital Board Multiple Sclerosis Muscular Dystrophy Rheumatoid Arthritis Cerebral Palsy Syringo-myelia Polio

Northern … … — — — — — —

North Eastern … 1^* — — — — —

Eastern … … 3† — — — — —

South Eastern … 3‡ — — — — —

Western … … 8§ 1‡ 3║ 1║ 1 1

^* This patient remained in hospital and equipment was not supplied.

† One patient refused the equipment.

‡ One patient died before installation.

§ One patient is to be admitted to hospital and equipment is not being supplied.

║ On investigation, equipment found not to be suitable for one patient.

¶ 6 cases are awaiting installation or case conferences

Assessors have not been specifically designated by Regional Hospital Boards in Scotland and any consultant who considers that his patient would benefit from possum equipment may recommend supply through the Senior Administrative Officer of the Regional Hospital Board, to the Scottish Home and Health Department.

§ Mr. Carter-Jones
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the Northern Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement;
(2) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the North-Eastern Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement;
(3) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities
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(5) how many items of Possum equipment have been assessed and how many prescribed by the Western Regional Hospital Board; what were the numbers of each disability where equipment has been granted; if he will indicate the number and speciality of the assessors; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Gordon Campbell
The following is the information:
to Possum equipment prescribed by the Eastern Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement;
(4) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the South-Eastern Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement;
(5) to what extent local authorities or other organisations have added facilities to Possum equipment prescribed by the Western Regional Hospital Board; how much consultation takes place in each case; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Gordon Campbell
The following is the information:

Regional Hospital Board Completed installations Installations with added facilities

Northern Nil Nil

North-Eastern 1 Nil

Eastern 1 Nil

South-Eastern 3 2

Western 11 9

The local authority social work department is represented at every case conference at which the arrangements for the supply and installation of possum equipment are worked out.

Regional Hospital Board	Number of patients assessed	Number for whom selector equipment prescribed	Quadriplegia
Northern	…	…	…	…	…	Nil	Nil	—
North Eastern	…	…	…	…	2	2	1
Eastern	…	…	…	…	…	5	5	2
South Eastern	…	…	…	…	5	4	1
Western	…	…	…	…	…	19	19	4†
Total	…	…	…	…	31	30¶

			Number of each disability where equipment prescribed
Regional Hospital Board	Multiple Sclerosis	Muscular Dystrophy	Rheumatoid Arthritis	Cerebral Palsy	Syringo-myelia	Polio
Northern	…	…	—	—	—	—	—	—
North Eastern	…	1^*	—	—	—	—	—
Eastern	…	…	3†	—	—	—	—	—
South Eastern	…	3‡	—	—	—	—	—
Western	…	…	8§	1‡	3║	1║	1	1
^* This patient remained in hospital and equipment was not supplied.
† One patient refused the equipment.
‡ One patient died before installation.
§ One patient is to be admitted to hospital and equipment is not being supplied.
║ On investigation, equipment found not to be suitable for one patient.
¶ 6 cases are awaiting installation or case conferences
Assessors have not been specifically designated by Regional Hospital Boards in Scotland and any consultant who considers that his patient would benefit from possum equipment may recommend supply through the Senior Administrative Officer of the Regional Hospital Board, to the Scottish Home and Health Department.

Regional Hospital Board	Completed installations	Installations with added facilities
Northern	Nil	Nil
North-Eastern	1	Nil
Eastern	1	Nil
South-Eastern	3	2
Western	11	9