Specialist Equipment

There is a huge variety of equipment available to help with everyday tasks, much of which can be provided free of charge by Health or Social Services professionals. If bought privately, some items cost only a few pounds, but others are very expensive, so it is important to get the right advice first.  It is important to find out what is available and if at all possible, try out before buying.

Assessment

Many pieces of specialist equipment are available on loan from our Joint Equipment Store. However, equipment will only be offered on loan after an assessment of need has been made by a Care Manager or Health professional. Please contact us using the details above for more information regarding assessment for specialist equipment.

How much will it cost?

Any equipment identified in your assessment that meets the Fair Access to Care criteria is available free of charge. However, if it outside this criteria or should you wish to purchase your own equipment, Social Services or Health will still be able to offer you advice as to which particular pieces of equipment suit your needs. Professional advice can help you avoid costly mistakes to your pocket and your health.

Equipment for Hearing Disability

There is a full range of equipment that can help with the doorbell, telephone, television and for most daily activities.  Before having a visit by Social Services Equipment Officer it is preferable that you have seen your GP at some stage about your hearing loss, and/or an audiologist, to increase the benefit of any equipment we can offer.

Equipment for Visual Disability

There is a wide range of visual equipment available to increase your independence. There is equipment to help with reading, writing, phones, clocks/watches, kitchen equipment or even something as simple as marking your existing equipment so that it is visible or tactile.

Equipment for Physical Disability

A variety of equipment can be made available to enhance independence and increase mobility and to support carers in caring for someone with disability, following the assessment of need.

This can include manual handling equipment such as a hoist, slide sheets, or shower chairs, to smaller items such as walking aids, toilet and bath equipment or specialised cutlery.

Where independence can be facilitated by a minor adaptation to property, such as a grab rail by the bath or indoor steps, additional banister for stairs, raisers for chair or bed, or a galvanised rail outside the main house entrance, Social Services staff can make referrals to the OT Technical Service.

In addition, independent advice on services available from alternative agencies can be obtained from:

• Disability Information Service
• Torbay Home Improvement Service (THIS)
• Age Concern
• Equipment and Adaptations to the home

For further information, please telephone Social Services on (01803) 208500.

Return of used equipment

All equipment is offered on a loan basis and remains the property of Torbay Social Services.

If you have equipment you no longer need, or use, please can you ring the Joint Equipment Service on 01803 528163, who will arrange to collect it at your convenience.  

Alternatively, please return it to

Torbay Equipment Service
Unit 1
Woodview Road
Paignton
TQ4 7HP