Home adaptations

If you are having difficulty with day to day activities like getting in and out of your home because of a medical health condition(s)/ disability and would like to know what would make things easier and safer for you, you can contact the Occupational Therapy Service in Angus and ask for an assessment of your needs. This will be undertaken in your home by a member of the Occupational Therapy Service who will provide you with recommendations which may include the need for a removable ramp.

A removable ramp is a full ramp structure that is erected at your home but can be removed. It provides a safe graded ramp that is suitable for people to use in their wheelchairs.  

The Occupational Therapy Service will fund removable ramps. This applies to all properties: council, housing association and owner-occupied.

The removable ramps will belong to Angus Health and Social Care Partnership (AHSCP). They will maintain the ramps and remove them when no longer required.

There is also the option of a permanent ramp. Occupational Therapy will discuss the funding options with you if you need a permanent ramp.

Who is involved?

Occupational Therapist (OT) (Angus Council or NHS Tayside)

Your Occupational Therapist is responsible for assessing your needs and agreeing the removable ramp, other adaptations and/ or equipment that is essential to allow you to live safely and independently in your home. Your Occupational Therapist is responsible in determining the need and urgency for the removable ramp and in organising the works. Your Occupational Therapist will also ensure that appropriate permission from the owner of the property has been sought prior to any works being carried out.  

Contractor

The Occupational Therapy Service has a contract in place for the installation, maintenance and removal of removable ramps. The agreed contractor will assess the works required, prepare their quote and submit this to your Occupational Therapist for consideration and approval. The contractor is also responsible for raising any issues which may affect the installation of the removable ramp. 

Admin

Admin staff will raise the orders required for the removable ramp and any works deemed necessary. They will monitor the orders and will liaise with your Occupational Therapist if any start dates are provided. Admin staff will reconcile any invoices received and will update our systems to record installation dates. 

Others 

Other people may need to be involved to agree the installation of a removable ramp and any other associated works. We will tell you if this applies to you.  

Your responsibilities  

• It is important you understand your need for a removable ramp and the arrangements being put in place. You can contact your named Occupational Therapist at any time. 
• It is important you keep us informed of any changes in your circumstances that may affect the removable ramp being considered for you.
• Contractors and other personnel will need to visit you, so it is important that you allow these workers into your home. ALWAYS ask to see the caller’s identification before allowing them into your home.  
• You must agree to use the removable ramp as instructed to ensure it remains in safe working order.   

Funding

Angus Health and Social Care Partnership (AHSCP) will meet all the required costs for the removable ramp installation as well as for any required works.  AHSCP will also meet the removal costs should the removable ramp no longer be required.  

What happens next?

The removable ramp pathway information in the next section gives information on the stages involved. Remember, the timescales for removable ramps can vary and depend on a number of factors. These could include:

• The urgency for the removable ramp according to the Occupational Therapy assessment
• The design and size of removable ramp required
• The need for associated works – removing of fences, bushes, laying of slabs 
• Availability of the contractor to undertake the works
• The need for any alternative arrangements while works are being completed

Removable ramp pathway

Stage 1 Initial approval in principle  

This means an Occupational Therapist has assessed your needs and undertaken a home visit. The Occupational Therapist has also completed a request which has been reviewed and approved by a designated Occupational Therapist/ Team Manager (Occupational Therapy).

Timescales for this stage will vary from person to person.

Stage 2 Preparation of quotation and obtaining of permission

Your Occupational Therapist will send a request to the Contractor requesting a joint visit or a visit by the contractor to agree the removable ramp required. The contractor will provide a quotation identifying the removable ramp required as well as any other associated works. Your Occupational Therapist will let you know when this has been received and whether any other works are required. It is important you know what works will be carried out so you should ask any questions you have.  Your Occupational Therapist will also liaise with the owner of your property if that is not yourself to ensure they are in agreement to the works being completed. We may be unable to support a removable ramp being installed if we can not obtain the permission from all required parties.  

Timescales for this stage will vary from person to person.

Stage 3 Final approval

Once you reach agreement with your Occupational Therapist for the removable ramp and any associated works, your Occupational Therapist will confirm the works being supported. This will be reviewed and considered by a designated Occupational Therapist and/ or Team Manager (Occupational Therapy). Once approval is given the designated Occupational Therapist or Team Manager (Occupational Therapy) will inform Admin who will place the order for the removable ramp. 

Timescales for this stage will vary from person to person.

Stage 4 Appointment of contractor

The order for the removable ramp will be placed with the agreed contractor and they will contact you to advise on a date for installation when this is known. Your Occupational Therapist will continue to liaise with you while you are awaiting the removable ramp being installed. If any works are required to support the removable ramp being installed, your Occupational Therapist will arrange this. If you need to cancel the removable ramp once the contractor has been appointed, please inform your Occupational Therapist immediately.

Timescales for this stage will vary from person to person. 

Stage 5 Completion of works

During the installation works please contact your Occupational Therapist if any issues arise. Your Occupational Therapist will visit you at home or contact you to ensure the removable ramp is suitable for you and will provide any necessary demonstration on safe use of the removable ramp.  

Timescales for this stage will vary from person to person

Stage 6 Payment

Once the works are complete and you and your Occupational Therapist are satisfied with them, admin will process the payment for the works. 

Timescales for this stage will vary from person to person.