Council and democracy

Physical Disability and Sensory Loss Best Value Review - 2003

County Council’s Scrutiny Committee
– a report on the progress of implementing the recommendations of this review went to county councillors in January 2003. They were very interested in what is happening and want regular reports on this work, which is an important part of the council’s aim to help people live as independently as possible. (You may read this report by selecting the link at the foot of this page.)

Sensory Services – Thank you to everyone who contributed to this consultation on the re-naming of the council’s Sensory Disability Services. The Steering group has endorsed the recommendation that in future this important service will be known as Sensory Services – and that the separate specialist groups within the service will continue to be known as the Deaf Team and the Visual Impairment Team.

• Users of these services are referred to as people who are deaf or visually impaired.
• Users of services of the Deaf Team are referred to as people who are either deaf, deafened or hard of hearing.
• Users of the Visual Impairment Team are referred to as people who are visually impaired, or who are blind or who are partially sighted.

Woodside, Welwyn Garden City We are currently reviewing the range of services available at Woodside (a county council building) and hope to develop at this site a Sensory Resource Centre in close partnership with Voluntary Organisations, including HSB/HHAS/DISH/HAD.

Resource Centres – stepping stones to promoting independence. Two of the new resources centres based in the council’s Day Services are nearing completion - Greenhills in Hemel and Stevenage Resource Centres will have their equipment displays and information points operational by 1 April. The display of basic equipment with some stock will enable people to view some tems and be assessed for suitable equipment. People will be able to purchase equipment from the HAD mobile exhibition which also visits locations around the county. The computers at the centres will have internet access and a range of adapted accessories. Staff will be on hand are being trained to give support and information. Other centres will be developed around their local community resources.

Health and Voluntary Organisations will bring extra services into the Resource Centres.

Equipment Services – work is underway to integrate community equipment services in Hertfordshire. In addition the county council’s Adult Care Services are supporting the Easier Living Centre at HAD by seconding an Occupational Therapist to give advice and information to people and speedier access to the provision of equipment issued by the department.

OT’s in District Councils - this pilot which involved seconding OT staff to Dacorum and Stevenage Borough Councils is nearly finished and is currently being evaluated. There is considerable interest in similar OT secondments from the other Hertfordshire district councils.

Information – making information more accessible and relevant is a priority that was identified in two Best Value Reviews, this one and the BVR for older people’s services. An information officer is to be appointed to ensure information is accessible to the public and linked strongly to other information services.

Enabling Home care – we are linking with the BVR Older People to trial this enhanced home care service in St Albans. The aim is to provide home care support, which will help the individual to regain as much independence in daily living tasks as possible. The project starts in May.

Direct Payments – a review of the county council’s Direct Payments scheme has been completed. The scheme enables people using our services to organise and pay for their own care services. Changes are being made to allow for more flexibility so that the needs of the individual can be met and to encourage more people to use the scheme. A leaflet will be available shortly.

Presentations are being made to the county’s Primary Care Trusts to update all concerned and discuss the progress of the Best Value Review.

User/Carer Consultation – Sue Collyer, with HAD, is eager to contact users and carers to help contribute to the developments of the BVR and other areas of our services. We will also be extending our consultation and information through Dish and HAD.


For further info on any aspect of this newsletter please contact Gill Manning-Smith (project manager) (gill.manning-smith@hertscc.gov.uk), Sue Collyer or Carol Thompson – service development mangers.

Please contact Roger Selwyn for CD rom and Audio Cassette versions (tel:01442 405681, email: roger.selwyn@hertscc.gov.uk) if other formats are required.

Produced by Penny Soper, ACS Communications, March 2003