Environmental control service

EC systems enable independence by giving people control of their home environment. They improve independence and making continued care at home easier for the relatives.

Environmental control systems can be set up to operate a huge range of devices, including:

• Telephones
• Pagers (for calling for attention)
• Door intercom systems
• Smart TV
• Curtains
• Fans
• Lamps and lights
• Radio

Environmental control devices can also be interfaced to a wide range of equipment provided by other services/agencies or self-funded, including:

• community alarms and nurse call
• hospital bed and static chair integration
• door openers, and other home automation equipment

Environmental controls are portable. They use wireless signals to send commands to remotely operate appliances to operate the appliances.

Access methods are the ways in which people control equipment using any repeatable, reliable movement. Access to electronic assistive technology is key and can be very specific if a person has limited mobility or complex physical difficulties. Access methods can include touch screen, stylus operation, specialist switches, voice activation, joysticks or head pointers. Switches can be activated in a range of ways including by hand, foot, chin and head.

Note, the service is available to patients that are resident within the area covered by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Argyll and Bute.

Health and social care professionals (e.g. Community Occupational Therapists, MND Nurses, Speech and Language Therapists) can refer by downloading the WestMARC Environmental Controls Referral Form.

A specialist assessment is required to determine a person’s suitability and eligibility. These criteria are available on request.

The referral form should be completed and sent to WestMARC via email: westmarc@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

If you meet the NHS eligibility criteria, then you may be prescribed an environmental control system funded by NHS service. Please note the equipment provided is on loan from an NHS service.

Other departments can be applied to for funding in some circumstances. These include Social Services (for Home Adaptation Grants or Disabled Facilities Grants), Local Education Authorities (for Equipment for Education Grants) and Employment Services (for ‘Access to Work’ equipment grants).

The NHS may contract out the supply and servicing of equipment to an environmental control manufacturer. If so, they will agree with the manufacturer what equipment should be installed and what type of maintenance contract will be required.