Parliamentary debate reinforces the need for a national approach to living aids and equipment
You’ve told us how delays in equipment and inconsistent provision continue to affect your practice. MPs took these issues into Parliament last week. Here’s what they said and what it means for you.
Last week, MPs in UK Parliament debated the findings of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Disability Equipment. This is the same inquiry that we contributed to last year, including through occupational therapist Emma Nicklin’s oral evidence.
The debate showed clear cross party recognition of the issues you have consistently raised: long waits, fragmented provision, delays to safe discharge and inefficiencies in recycling and redistribution. These themes strongly echoed what you told us in our workforce survey last autumn.
What did MPs discuss?
MPs recognised the essential role of occupational therapists play in safe and timely discharge and in supporting people to live well at home, including through adaptations like stairlifts and accessible showers. They raised concerns about how delays affect people’s independence and participation. One MP, Jim Shannon, also spoke about the number of constituents contacting him while waiting to see an occupational therapist.
They also raised:
- Delays in providing community equipment are now a major factor in delayed discharge, with 74% of equipment providers reporting discharge delays linked to unavailable equipment.
- The ongoing postcode lottery created by the absence of national timelines and standards.
- The frustration of unused equipment sitting idle while others wait.
- The continuing impact of NRS Healthcare collapse.
Above all, cross party MPs repeatedly backed the APPG’s core recommendation for a national strategy for disability equipment. They argued that without national direction variation and delays will continue and people will keep paying the price.
Several MPs pointed to the upcoming Health Bill as a timely opportunity to secure this national strategy.
What was the Government’s response?
Responding to the debate, Health Minister Zubir acknowledged that wider system issues have been neglected for too long. He noted that as NHS England moves into the Department for Health and Social Care and a new national quality board is created, there is an opportunity to strengthen national direction although he didn’t’ commit to this.
Instead, he focused on the roles of local authorities and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and pointed to existing frameworks and funding routes like the Better Care Fund and wheelchair quality standards.
Taken together the debate shows growing parliamentary momentum for a systemwide solution, although Government action hasn’t yet kept pace. This gives us a clear opening to continue making the case that without national standards and a coordinated approach, delays, variation and inefficiencies will persist to the detriment of the people who rely on timely OT-led assessment and equipment provision.
We’ll continue pushing for national leadership in this area including writing to the Minister to request a meeting on the need for a national strategy and the unresolved issues since the collapse of NRS Healthcare.