§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to ensure the prompt prescription and supply of orthotic appliances, especially for children; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EnnalsMy hon. Friend the Under-Secretary with responsibility for the disabled met representatives of the all-party Disablement Group, including my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South, on 26th July to discuss the supply of orthotic appliances. He will be writing to them shortly.
Many such appliances necessarily have to be tailor-made to meet individual needs, but I am sure both hospitals and the firms which manufacture appliances are well aware of the need for prompt supply. The Department has recently written to them stressing the need for effective progress-chasing of orders and reminding them of standing arrangements for children to be given priority. Departmental staff regularly visit hospitals and suppliers to keep in touch with the working of these arrangements.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will authorise the supply of duplicate orthotic appliances for children where necessary.
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Mr. EnnuisDuplicate appliances are supplied for children or adults when prescribed by the hospital doctor. The Department's guidance booklet on provision of medical and surgical appliances says that duplicates may be supplied on medical or hygienic grounds, or grounds related to employment or hardship: surgical footwear, calipers and fabric supports are given as examples where duplicate supply is normally justified. Special authority is not required for duplicate supply to children.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what assessments or orthotic appliances and other aids for the disabled are being undertaken at rehibilitation demonstration centres; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. EnnuisSeveral such assessments have been specially funded by the Department, at demonstration centres and elsewhere, and other assessment work is being undertaken by health authorities and other bodies. Full details are not available centrally, but my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary with responsibility for the disabled will write to my hon. Friend giving all the information which is available.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to improve the orthotic appliance services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EnnalsMy Department supports a variety of training activities aimed at improving the service, including the work of the Training Council for Orthotists. Officers of my Department monitor the quality of appliances supplied, and the Department supports a number of projects. Officers concerned make periodic visits to hospitals and contractors to promote the effective working of the supply arrangements. All the staff concerned are constantly on the look-out for ways of improving the service and I am always ready to consider proposals from any interested bodies.