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. They will assess your needs and make 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 or when walking using a mobility aid. Appropriate handrails will be fitted on the ramp to ensure users safety.
The removable ramps will belong to Angus Health and Social Care Partnership (AHSCP) who will maintain them and remove them when they are no longer required.
The OT Service will discuss with you the alternative option of a permanent ramp and the funding options available for this type of adaptation should this be required.
Who is involved?
Occupational Therapist (OT) (Angus Council)
An OT will be responsible for assessing your needs and recommending the removable ramp, other adaptations and/or equipment that are essential in meeting your needs to allow you to live safely and independently in your home. Your OT is responsible in determining the need and urgency for the removable ramp and in organising the works. Your OT will also ensure that appropriate permission from the owner of the property has been obtained prior to any works being carried out.
Contractor
The contractor is the person who has been asked to quote for the adaptations that have recommended for you. The OT Service have a contract in place with an agreed contractor for the installation, maintenance, and removal of removable ramps. This contractor may need to visit you at home, along with the OT recommending the removable ramp and others if required, to discuss the works required. The contractor is responsible for raising any issues that may affect the installation of the removable ramp. The contractor is responsible for providing an estimate of the costs for the removable ramp and any associated works and plans of the proposed works.
Admin
Admin staff will reconcile any invoices received upon completion of the removable ramp works.
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 OT 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 that are deemed essential.
AHSCP will also meet the removal costs should the removable ramp no longer be required.
If you require the removable ramp to be removed and then reinstated, for any reason, this must be completed by our agreed contractor and any costs incurred will be your responsibility.
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 will depend on several factors. These could include:
- The urgency for the removable ramp as per the OT assessment
- The design and size of removable ramp required
- The need for associated works – removal 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 OT has assessed your needs and obtained approval in principle for the removable ramp to be installed from the designated OT/ Team Manager (OT). The request has been sent to our agreed contractor and your OT.
Timescales for this stage will vary from person to person.
Stage 2 Preparation of quotation and obtaining of permission
Your OT and the contractor will visit you in your home or alternatively, the contractor may visit themselves to consider the removable ramp installation. The contractor will take sizes of the steps/ your access to allow a drawing and quotation for the removable ramp and any associated works to be prepared. It is important that you ask any questions you may have about the works.
Your OT 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 required permission. We must obtain written permission before we are able to proceed.
Timescales for this stage will vary from person to person.
Stage 3 Final approval
Your OT will contact you within 5 working days of receiving the plans and quotation to ensure you agree with the works. Your OT must approve the plan and confirm the works they are supporting. This will then be reviewed and considered by the Team Manager (OT) who has 3 working days from receipt of the request.
Once approval is given the Team Manager (OT) will inform the contractor of the approval.
Stage 4 Appointment of contractor
Your OT and/ or the contractor will advise you on the installation date for the removable ramp when this is confirmed. Your OT 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 OT will arrange this. If you need to cancel the removable ramp once the contractor has been appointed, please inform your OT immediately.
Timescales for this stage will vary from person to person.
Stage 5 Completion of works
Whilst the works are on site, please contact your OT if any issues arise. Your OT will visit you at home or contact you to ensure the removable ramp is suitable in meeting your needs and will provide any necessary demonstration on the 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 OT are satisfied with them, admin will process the payment for the works.
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