This is achieved by working with our Code of Practice, which covers commissioning (or procurement), service provision and clinical responsibilities. The Code is made up of 47 measurable outcomes.
The need for a Code of Practice: To address the impending global care crisis resulting from the growing elderly population and an increase in the number of people living with long term conditions, there needs to be better deployment of the full range of disability equipment, with a clear strategy, for enabling independent living, enhancing disabled people’s employment prospects and empowering individuals to take control and manage their own care. To achieve this effectively there need to be the right structures and processes in place to ensure timely and safe provision of the right equipment and associated services, thereby improving outcomes for service users.
The Code provides a template for taking these actions and following it will go a long way in achieving these aims. The Code relates mainly to disability equipment, wheelchair and seating services, and applies in every setting where these services are provided. It also applies more generally to other assistive technology related services, and provides the necessary links to these services so that holistic, integrated and person-centred care can become a reality.
It can be used for strategic and operational purposes. “However optimistic and committed governments and organisations are to improving outcomes for disabled people, practical steps are required to make these improvements; I believe this Code lays down steps that need to be taken. Let’s just hope it is followed!” Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE, DL
For those planning, designing or commissioning services, this Code of Practice provides a template for ensuring all risks, governance, quality and health and safety duties, obligations and standards are clearly specified within service specifications issued to providers. It is also a useful tool for managing provider performance.
For providers and clinical staff, the Code sets out the standard of service which should be provided, and acts as a guide for monitoring and assessing overall performance. Following it allows the provider to proactively drive quality and performance improvements, and be able to demonstrate this.
The Code is person-centred and sets a national (UK), and perhaps international, benchmark against which services can be measured, as well as a realistic level of service people should expect to receive. The Code also fits in with the CECOPS Model i.e. organisations can be assessed against it and become accredited with us. “Quite simply, the Code of Practice is an essential tool to support central and local governments, commissioners, providers and clinical teams alike, and working with the Code will ensure the service user gets the outcomes we all want to see.” Sir Bert Massie CBE, DL
Hard copies of the Code and eBooks can be found here: http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=3270
Please contact us to find out more. [email protected]