THE REACH FAMILY WEEKEND featuring 400 Reach members from new-borns to grandparents; stars of stage and screen; Paralympians and top professionals from the cutting edge of medicine. The theme that cropped up all through the conference was one of Options and Choices
Dr Fergus Jepson Describing the changing landscape of disability benefits and procurement, Dr Jepson said: “Up to this year, funding was by Primary Care Trusts and they decided the budget, so it was different for every centre. Funding depended on the clinical leadership of the units so there was quite a significant postcode lottery. “The idea now is for core NHS funding. This should give uniformity and access to the same level of funds and prosthetic provision across the country. “And they are talking about reclassifying the centres as Tertiary, Standard and Satellite. There will be a national tariff but the big thing is that you will have choice: funding will follow the patient, though not until 2014, if then. The tariff will give a defined amount of funding for each individual. “We felt it should be nationally commissioned so everyone got the same level of care and that was accepted by the Government. There is a new National Clinical Referral Group and I chair the sub group for multi-grip hands. The future of multi-grip hands is very exciting but they are not available for children
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WITHIN REACH MAGAZINE
Prof Simon Kay
The speakers were: Jenny Sands, a Reach member; Tammy Barrett, a one-handed paediatric nurse; Dr Fergus Jepson, Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine; Prof Simon Kay, Consultant Plastic Surgeon; Alex Brooker, Reach Ambassador and TV star. You can watch videos of their inspirational speeches on Youtube.com/reachcharity1, or read a short report of what they said here. yet. Some of them have 11-12 motors and computer chips and batteries that would have to be shrunk down. Companies developing them should have something to show in two or three years time. “When children reach 11 or 12 years old, the size discrepancy is not so great. Libyan children were fitted with small adult versions and had very good functionality. Children just need to grow to a point where the weight and size is feasible. “Complex hands have been available for the last five years but has the NHS adopted them….there is a huge difference between centres, both in the number of suitable patients and in the very small percentage who use myoelectric hands. “People often live full independent lives without any prosthetic. Some prefer single grip to multi-grip because of the better strength of grip. However, we are not adopting the new technology consistently. The important change is that patients will have the choice of which centre to go to. Basically if you can use a complex hand and it improves your life and makes you more independent, they you should get it. Some centres start training people from the age of two! “If you are not happy with your current service, then tell me or your GP and they will tell you where the other centres are or Reach will tell you.”