SDEF Newsletter No.15 - October 2004

	Open Door News from the SDEF Board The Directors of SDEF have seen fit to appoint me as their Convenor and George Reid as Vice-Convenor.� Jim Bryan sadly stood down as a Director, and in order to be quorate, the Board has appointed two new Directors on a temporary basis to serve until the AGM.��	In this issue: News from SDEF Board Meet your new staff The Falkirk Wheel Mobile Wheelchair Repairs Out of Hours Medical Services Keeping Disabled Students in touch Is the latest car tax idea a step too far? MPS gives warning on service Local Access Forums - Land Reform Cinema Exhibitors Card Forth and Tay Ramblers Association of Disabled Professionals Report on Carers Consultation �
The new girls on the block are Geraldine Gray, from South Lanarkshire Disability Forum and Muriel Williams from Edinburgh, representing Scottish Accessible Transport Alliance. The Board has been very busy since April dealing with issues surrounding serving the Access Panels as an Umbrella body.� The drawing up of Job Descriptions, advertising and the interview of candidates for the Access Panels posts, has been done with the help and advice of members of Access Panels. Staff, with extensive experience of access issues, have now taken up post.� Robert Pickles is the Access Development Officer and Elaine Wilson is the Access Development Administrator.� They are now moving matters forward to provide the support required. Over the summer, Sutherland Access Panel invited SDEF to give information on the background and aims of our organisation and a clearer definition of the spending criteria attached to recent funding from the Scottish Executive to Access Panels. This, as readers may know, amounts to �10,000 for each qualifying panel.�� SDEF Director Peter Ingram-Monk met with representatives from Sutherland,� Caithness, Ross & Cromarty, Inverness, Strathspey & Badenoch, Harris & Lewis, Lochaber, Skye & Lochalsh, Shetland, Orkney and Uist to clarify the position. As Convenor I made a presentation to over 300 GP Practice Managers and other delegates at a Conference in Dunblane Hydro, on access issues facing people with disabilities who use GP services.� The presentation was well received and is now available on the NHS website for information. Dianne Jackson, who set up the office eighteen months ago and subsequently provided much valuable administrative support, has retired.� The occasion was marked with an informal lunch and as Convenor I presented her with a flower vase emblazoned with our thistle logo on behalf of SDEF. Peter Ingram- Monk has pressed on with arrangements for the Access Auditors Course, to be run by Heriot-Watt University, and has been invited by the University to become an External Consultant for Access.� The course comprises 600 hours of learning and, with the addition of 300 hours of other modules by distance learning, this course can lead to an MA.� The subject matter is access to the built environment and open space and is the first standalone course of its kind leading to a Master’s degree.� Some universities abroad are showing interest.� I am a user representative on both the Rehabilitation Technology Services Advisory Group (ReTSAG) and its sub group The National Wheelchair Forum.� I am also heavily involved with an NHS Users’ Wheelchair Survey, being carried out within NHS Forth Valley.� The evidence from this survey will be fed in to the Forum and then to ReTSAG.� The Wheelchair Forum is working towards overall improvements to the Wheelchair service in Scotland and SDEF has provided constructive comment on a draft Benchmark Specification for the Service. On another front, SDEF hopes soon to have a new and improved website which is currently being developed by SCVO.� On this site we will endeavour to provide a wide range of information which we hope will be of value to our members.� The Board is sensitive to those who may not be able to access the web and arrangements will be put in place to provide the information in alternative ways. Periodically as Convenor, I will give you updates in our progress in various areas. Ron Skinner MBE Convenor, SDEF

New Staff

In Newsletter 14 we were interviewing for our new staff.� They are now in post. Brief biographies below:

As far back as November 2002, our late Convenor, Elma Mitchell MBE wrote in behalf of SDEF to British Waterways, following the opening of Falkirk Wheel, expressing concern at the lack of access to their facilities for people with disabilities.

In addition to glass sides and roofs offering all round visibility, both boats have been designed with wide entry points at boardwalk level to ensure that the electrically powered ramps create easy access for all types of wheelchair.� The vessels also have removable seating to provide additional wheelchair space by special arrangement.�

Commenting on the new boats, Jonathan Bryant, Commercial Manager for British Waterways Scotland said: “Due to huge demand for boat trips since we opened the Wheel in 2002, we have decided to increase our capacity with the introduction of these two new state of the art vessels.

In addition to the spectacular boat trips, visitors to the Falkirk Wheel can also learn more about the world’s first rotating boat lift and the canal network from the interactive exhibitions in the centre and on the interpretive panels around the basin, while kids can create their own adventures in the Irn Bru Fun Factory.

The Falkirk Wheel site is easily accessible for visitors with a disability, with easily accessible parking and toilets and a lift to the upper viewing area. There are also a limited number of wheelchairs available from the reception area.

Entry to the Visitor Centre and the Irn Bru Fun Factory is free.� Boat trips should be pre-booked and cost �8 for adults, �4 for children and �6 concession.� Children under 5 go free.� A family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) is �21.� Bookings can be made either by telephoning 08700-500-208 or online at www.thefalkirkwheel.co.uk

Mobile Wheelchair repair services in Highland

As readers are aware from the Convenor’s report, Ron is a user representative on the Rehabilitation Technology Services Advisory Group (ReTSAG).�� Both he and the late Elma Mitchell MBE had raised concerns earlier in the year with ReTSAG at the possible termination of the Mobile Wheelchair Workshops pilot project being operated in the Highland area.

A bid to the NHS Boards for recurrent funding to extend the scheme to all patients out with ten miles of Inverness, by use of two mobile workshops, has been successful.

This project had run for three years and ended in December 2003.� Mobile workshops had been used to instruct wheelchair users and carers and to check on the continuing suitability of equipment.� The project had been used to deliver, set up, service, repair and uplift wheelchairs.� After two years the area covered by the pilot was extended.

The project undertook nearly 2,000 patient visits and 300 repairs, while about 1,500 items were replaced.� At the end of the project there was widespread satisfaction throughout the pilot area.�

The cost had been estimated at approximately �60K per year to cover all 2,000 patients who were more than ten miles away from the Inverness repair depot, using two mobile workshops.

Overall, the user benefits were:

• Improvements to the condition and reliability of chairs

• Regular review of patients and chairs

• “Feel good” factor of regular contact

Additionally, the benefits to the wheelchair service were:

• Improved user / carer instruction

• Improved condition of chairs on issue

• Reciprocal “feel good” factor with users and staff

• Partial compliance with medical directives regarding user training and the servicing of chairs

• Good engineering practice

• The liberation of Technical Officers and Occupational Therapy staff to concentrate on the user in the chair, rather than repairing the chair.

Out of Hours Medical Services

I can only comment on the situation in Grampian on the proposed changes as a result of the new General Medical Services Contract (GMS).

All over Scotland and the Islands, concerns are being expressed regarding the changes that are taking place. These changes will affect everybody but especially our colleagues in remote areas.

NHS Grampian have consulted widely for the past few months and have tried to re-assure the public.� The government and NHS believe that the new contract will bring benefits; for example, helping to recruit and retain more GPs.� The new GMS Contract gives GPs the choice to transfer their current responsibility for providing “out of hours” service to their local NHS Board.

Currently GPs have responsibility for providing care 24 hours per day.� The new GMS contract allows GPs to opt out of responsibility for “out of hours” services.� The time scale is as follows:

1. Currently “out of hours” will remain the responsibility of the individual GP.� Many GPs will still provide “out of hours” care through GDOCS and MDOCS.

2. By 31^st December 2004, NHS Grampian will have to put in place effective alternative provision and have taken full responsibility for “out of hours” services.� However, they intend to have alternative arrangements in place by 1^st October 2004.� This will allow the new arrangements to be bedded in prior to the Christmas and New Year holidays and the worst of the winter period.

3. NHS Grampian will become responsible for commissioning “out of hours” services and where necessary provide the “out of hours” service.

4. The “out of hours” period is defined as from 6.30pm to 8.00am on weekdays and the whole of weekends, bank and public holidays.

As a result of this work, NHS Grampian is making proposals such as:

• To adopt an integrated Grampian “framework” for “out of hours” which acts as one system and one team

• To have one single point for the patient to enter the system - this will continue to use NHS24 (or 999 in an emergency).

When will this happen?

GPs have begun working to their new contract from 1^st April 2004.� The new “out of hours” centres will begin to develop over the coming autumn.� By the start of next year, the system will be up and running.� Tayside have published their plans in the local “Press and Journal” and no doubt there will be concerns there too.

Through SDEF, let us be vigilant on how this new system is working so that we can be aware of and take action on any problems being encountered.

MPS gives warning on service

A North East MSP has warned that a new out-of-hours health service must be continually monitored and assessed.

Conservative member Nanette Milne met NHS Grampian bosses after it was announced a major overhaul of after-hours health services was set to go ahead.

Director of primary care for NHS Grampian Dr George Crooks explained the new system which will affect the whole of Grampian to politicians.

But Mrs Milne is adamant that NHS Grampian bosses keep tabs on the new service.

The Conservative Party’s deputy health spokesperson said “NHS Grampian was at pains to provide us with reassurances on the safety of the new system”.

She added: “Despite all these reassurances, it remains very clear to me that NHS Grampian’s education campaign about the new system is going to have to be comprehensive and thorough.

“Finally, health bosses must make sure that they monitor and assess how the new system is functioning and are ready to respond accordingly to any issues that may arise.”

Evening Express 22/9/04

Submitted by Nanette Milne

A new email newsletter - Skill Scotland E-news - has been launched for disabled students across Scotland. It will keep students in touch with news, events and issues around being a disabled person at college or university, as well as features from disabled students about the challenges and highlights that they have experienced.

At the same time, a Skill Scotland web discussion forum will let people talk directly about issues and their own experiences.

John Ireson, Director of Skill Scotland: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities, says:

��������� “Nearly 1 in 5 people of working age in the UK are disabled, and yet only around 1 in 20 students in Scotland are disabled people. It is time for disabled people to have equal access to education and all the benefits that it can bring. Getting valuable information, sharing experiences & having the chance to discuss any issues that arise is key to opening up opportunities for disabled people. The Skill Scotland E-news and web discussion forum will be important tools to help this to happen.”

To subscribe to the Skill Scotland E-news, see:

IS THE LATEST CAR TAX IDEA A STEP TOO FAR?

A Consultation document recently issued by the DVLA details plans to introduce a new tax on all cars registered on their system, even ones that are not used on the road by their owners.

The ‘Fee Proposals’ consultation, which closes on November 8, claims the new tax is necessary to cover the costs of issuing photo licences to all drivers, as required by the European Union.

An annual fee of �4.50 is proposed on all vehicles kept on the DVLA`s computer. For most cars used on the road, this extra tax will be collected with the Vehicle Excise Duty (formerly called road tax).

However, it will also apply to disabled drivers, pre- 1973 classics and cars kept off road under the SORN (Statutory off Road Notification) regulations. None of these categories currently pay VED, so this will be an entirely new and separate tax.

“This means that people are going to have to pay tax to keep their own vehicles in their own garage,” said ABD spokesman Nigel Humphries. “Now �4.50 may not sound much, in fact it hardly seems worth the DVLA`s trouble to collect it where this cannot be done through VED. But it’s a dangerous precedent, and a matter of principle. Why should we pay anything for the details of our property merely to be held on someone’s computer?”

Mr Humphries added that enthusiasts often have several cars kept off road - future projects, possible parts, ‘saved’ cars they hope to pass on to others to restore - and they will have to write out and send off a separate cheque for each vehicle every year, as the off-the-road anniversary of registration arises. The DVLA will then have to bank them. That’s a lot of trouble and expense for nothing, and how much will the DVLA have left of the money after it has administered this bureaucratic leviathan on behalf of one hapless individual?

“And who is to say that the fee will remain at �4.50?” continued Mr Humphries. “The government has a long history of introducing taxes at low levels and then increasing them year on year, and people are reluctant to trust their assurances. This new registration tax gives them a mechanism for abolishing VED, adding the cost of this to fuel tax and then increasing the registration fee, automatically wiping out the benefits enjoyed by ultra low mileage classic car owners and disabled drivers alike, as well as creating a punitive charge for those storing cars off road. That is why it is to be resisted.

The ABD calls on the DVLA ‘to see sense’ and desist from penalising classic car owners, disabled drivers and car collectors with ‘this pointless and bureaucratic system’. Motorists pay �36 billion a year to the government in motoring related taxes. If the European Union wants photo licences there is plenty here to pay for it.

DVLA Website, Press Release 7/10/04

Submitted by David Grieve, SDEF Treasurer

Local Access Forums

A requirement of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003

The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 grants the public a right of access to most land and water in Scotland, subject to responsible exercise of that right.� The right extends to non-motorised activities including cycling, horse riding, skiing, water sports and walking; and these activities when carried out on an educational or commercial basis.

Importantly for disabled users, motorised vehicles and vessels “which have been constructed or adapted for use by a person who has a disability and which is being used by such a person” are included in the right of access.

The Act has given Scottish National Heritage the responsibility of drawing up the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. This gives guidance to access takers, land managers and recreation managers on their responsibility in taking access, or managing access opportunities.� Both the Act and the Code are due to be implemented later this Autumn.

The Act gives local authorities and park authority’s four duties:

1. to uphold access rights

2. to draw up a Core Path within three years of implementation of the Act - November 2003

3. to publicise the Scottish Outdoor Access Code

4. to establish one or more Local Access Forums

Local Access Forums

The purpose of a Local Access Forum is to “advise” the authority on matters to do with outdoor access - for example, rights of way, new access rights and resolution of conflict.� As an advisory body, it will also be expected to take an overview of access and look at the strategic implications of access in the park - for example, it is envisaged that the Forums will play an active role in the development of an Outdoor Access Strategy for Parks and the Core Paths Plan.

It is envisaged that the Forums will comprise a balance of interest - both access users and access managers drawn from the community - with the inclusion of relevant public agencies.

Peter Ingram-Monk

�

�� Cinema Exhibitors’ Association

Launched on 1^st October 2004, The Cinema Exhibitors’ Association Card is a new national card scheme which entitles the card holder to one free ticket for a person accompanying them to the cinema.

People can apply for the card if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

a)���� they are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance

b)���� they are a registered blind person

c)���� they are a holder of a Disabled Persons Railcard

Applications are available from participating cinemas.�� A full listing of cinemas and further information can be found on The Cinema Exhibitors’ Association Card website:

www.ceacard.co.uk

Forth and Tay Disabled Ramblers is a registered Scottish Charity based in the area between the rivers Forth and Tay.�� Members include scooter, electric and manual wheelchair and adapted cycle users and walkers who enjoy the leisurely pace of the group.� Paths are checked in advance to ensure access and safety.

The group aims to make countryside access as easy as possible for anyone with a disability, allowing them to enjoy the scenery, explore new places and have fun.� Members’ quality of life is greatly improved and health and fitness are enhanced.� The social aspects extend out with the ramble programme with other activities in the winter months.

Lady Mary’s Walk, Crieff was the venue for our May 2004 outing.� This was the first appearance of eight new scooters, bought with �15,125 raised from a variety of sources including Awards for All, The Hugh Fraser Foundation, The Gannochy Trust and a host of smaller funding bodies as well as from fundraising by the group.

July found the group on the Fife Coastal Path and August at Birnam Highland Games and The Hermitage, Dunkeld.� The annual holiday this year was to Deeside, staying at Crathie Opportunity Holiday Cottages.�� The final ramble of the season is to Callander Woods in Falkirk this month.

For further details contact:

Association of Disabled Professionals

The Association of Disabled Professionals is delighted to announce that Scottish Enterprise have continued to fund the Disabled Entrepreneurs Network (DEN) in Scotland to March 2005. This resulted from a successful conference in Glasgow at which 400 people were present, talking about the availability of support in self employment.

For further information contact:

Report on Carers Consultation

SDEF is represented, by the Manager, on the Stirling Area Community Care Forum (SACCF).� During the last year the SACCF has undertaken a survey of difficulties faced by carers, this leading to a published report.� The work was commissioned by, and presented to, Stirling Council.

To uncover the views of carers, a number of focus groups were held throughout the council area, this taking place in a mixture of urban and rural locations.� Additionally, 850 questionnaires were circulated to carers, eliciting 123 replies.� The questionnaire was very detailed and included enquiries on; the age of the carer; information on the person cared for; the number of hours spent caring each week; the number of years in the role; the nature and level of care provided; the health of the carer; the help which the carer receives from individuals and from statutory and voluntary agencies; and the effect of caring on family and social life.

Two networked meetings were also held to allow carers and professionals to share perspectives.� These were designed to highlight what current services carers found most useful, what improvements could be made to existing services and what new services would be beneficial.

Although statistics featured heavily in the report, there was also much use of personal accounts to illustrate the themes uncovered.� Two full case studies were offered and there were many quotes to highlight the specific concerns of all including: young carers; those in rural areas; elderly carers; those who had felt constrained to take early retirement or work part-time; and those whose own health was poor.

One recommendation which emerged was the clear need for a “one stop shop” to provide information to carers.� Many were unaware of available services, including the right to a Carer’s Assessment, and did not know where to seek information.� It was also found that there was further scope for voluntary agencies to provide clear advice on services.

This underlined the need for better liaison between all the parties involved in care provision and, indeed for the carer’s unique status to be recognised, as a service provider and fully fledged partner.� It was felt that agencies should engage better with carers to provide the necessary support for them to continue in the role.�

The need for all carers to be assessed and have a Care Plan was also highlighted.� This would be greatly assisted by the full implementation of plans for a “Carer’s Self Assessment Tool”.� This is a form to be completed by carers to:

a)���� help them take stock of what they need, and

b)���� to inform professionals and help them arrange appropriate services.

In a diverse area like that served by Stirling Council, there is also clearly a need for flexible and reliable transport services.� Finally, the critical need for respite services was stressed.� The report noted that there should be:

a)���� clear guidelines on what respite is

b)���� ready availability of short term and emergency respite, and�

c)���� a “calendar” of planned respite to allow people to make timely preparations.

The local authority is to be congratulated for commissioning the work and for taking heed of all the recommendations.� It is now imperative that the results feed into the Community Planning process to improve the lives of people who give so much and whose efforts benefit the broader community.

Perhaps your organisation is also involved with carer’s issues.� Please let us know what is happening in the broader community.

Wyn Merrells

Manager

Contact us if you would like your organisation to feature in the next newsletter.� Please send your article to:

The Editor,�����
Mrs Agnes Stewart, either c/o SDEF or directly to:

Scottish Disability Equality Forum����������

This Newsletter is available in alternative formats on request.