Speedier journey to independence

Photo: ANTHONY MILLER

Pictured (from the left) are Natalie Taylor (assessor), Patricia Goddard (client), Carl Ball (head of community well-being) and Jennifer Beaumont (associate director of adult and older people’s service, Oldham Community Health Services)

PEOPLE who need help with doing simple tasks at home, such as taking a bath, will get a boost to their quality of life.

A new joint council and health service scheme for Activities of Daily Living (ADL) will speed up the assessment times of people who need equipment or adaptations to maintain an independent life.

Launched this month, the ADL service, a partnership between Oldham Council and Oldham Community Health Services (part of NHS Oldham), will provide assessments of less-complex needs, like bathing, at a purpose-built facility at the Link Centre in Union Street, Oldham.

People who previously had to wait up to nine weeks for an appointment from a community occupational therapist will now be seen in two weeks.

Councillor Brian Lord, cabinet member for people communities and society, said: “This is an excellent partnership arrangement that greatly speeds up the process for people to take advantage of the range of equipment and adaptations that are available to help improve their quality of life.

“This new service will have a significant and positive impact on all those people who use it.”

Jennifer Beaumont, associate director of adult and older people’s service from Oldham Community Health Services, said: “Being able to live an independent life is a basic right for everyone. The new service will speed up and improve an existing service and ensure that people do not have to face a long wait for the support they need”.