{Department – Welsh}
Information Governance Team Vera Vallins Office Bronllys Hospital Bronllys Brecon Powys LD3 0LS Tel: 01874 712763 Fax: 01874 712756
Our ref: IG/FOI/19.R.233 23 September 2019
Sent via email to: [email protected]
Dear Sir,
Request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000
I write further to your request for information which was received on 29 August 2019 , to confirm, in accordance with S.1(1)(a) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, that Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) holds part of the information that you require.
For ease of reference your request is set out below and our response follows:
Your Freedom of Information (FOI) Request:
Who have you commissioned to provide any of the following orthotic devices which are vital to prevent damage and pain to the lower spine in long-term manual wheelchair users:
1. A measured spinal-restriction-brace, designed to stop long-term wheelchair users prevent stress induced damage and pain to their lumbar-sacrum region, where the spine joins the pelvis;
2. Power-assist motors such as: * Trike attachments * Pushers such as the Alber Smoov and Permobile Smart-drive * Joystick- and push-rim- controlled hub motors?
3. Please send me the minutes of the meetings discussing this essential support for wheelchair users, and a copy of the contract you commissioned.
4. If nothing has been commissioned, or if nothing has been considered for commissioning, what is the official protocol to get the consideration of such orthotic devices put onto the agenda? Is there a form members of the public can fill in?
Pencadlys Headquarters Tŷ Glasbury, Ysbyty Bronllys, Glasbury House, Bronllys Hospital Aberhonddu, Powys LD3 0LU Brecon, Powys LD3 0LU Ffôn: 01874 711661 Tel: 01874 711661
Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth Gymraeg We welcome correspondence in Welsh Bwrdd Iechyd Addysgu Powys yw enw gweithredd Bwrdd Iechyd Lleol Powys Teaching Health Board is the operational name of Addysgu Powys Powys Teaching Local Health Board
5. Have you commissioned a study showing how many people have been immobilised with medical complications because the essential orthotic devices are not freely accessible, and what the cost is to the heath system for these avoidable medical complications? If no such study has been undertaken, has one ever been suggested, and why was the study not actioned? How can such a study be instigated?
6. Please also provide data showing if any of the above orthotic devices have been provided under the Individual Funding Request system, and if so, which overseeing clinical pathway was responsible for identifying the device required, eg: GP Wheelchair service Orthotic Department Spinal Orthopedic Surgeon Neurologist Neurosurgeon Pain Clinic Orthotic Department Occupational Therapy Department Physiotherapy Department Etc.
Powys Response Question 1: I can confirm that PTHB does not provide this service and any Powys patient requiring this treatment would be referred to one of our neighbouring district general hospitals. I recommend you contact them directly for this information via the following contact details:
Health Board/Organisation FOI Contact Details Swansea Bay University Health Board FOIA.Requests@wales.nhs.uk Aneurin Bevan University Health Board [email protected]
Betsi Cadwaldr University Health Board [email protected]
Cardiff & Vale University Health Board [email protected]
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health [email protected] Board Hywel Dda University Health Board [email protected]
NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership [email protected] (NWSSP) Public Health Wales [email protected] Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust [email protected]
Welsh Health Specialised Services [email protected] Committee (WHSCC) NHS Providers (England) Contact Details
Shrewsbury & Telford NHS Trust [email protected] Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt NHS Trust [email protected]
Gloucester NHS Trust https://foi.glosnhs.net/secureforms/InformationR equestForm/ Wye Valley NHS Trust [email protected]
Question 2: I can confirm this is a specialist service provide by All Wales Artificial Limbs and Appliance Centre (ALAC)
Question 3: I can confirm this question is not applicable based on our response above.
Questions 4 to 6: I can confirm that this information would be held by the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee (WHSCC) and I recommend you contact them direct via the details provided above for this information.
Should you need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at the address below.
If you are dissatisfied, with the way your request has been dealt with by PTHB, you have the right to request a review in which case you should write to:
Chief Executive Powys Teaching Health Board Headquarters Glasbury House Bronllys Hospital Bronllys Brecon Powys LD3 0LU
If you are still dissatisfied at the end of the review, you may complain to the Information Commissioner, who can be contacted at the following address:
Information Commissioner’s Office - Wales 2nd Floor, Churchill House, Churchill Way, Cardiff, CF10 2HH Tel: 029 2067 8400 Fax 029 2067 8399 www.ico.org.uk twitter.com/iconews
Yours sincerely
Hayley Thomas Executive Director of Planning & Performance