Limitations to provision
With the exception of telephones and
intercoms the service does not
provide controlled devices such as
televisions or powered door openers.
Are we speaking your
language?
C o n t a c t
D e t a i l s
Oxfordshire Environmental
Controls Service
Providing remote
controls for people
with disabilities
A leaflet for patients
Specialist Disability Service
Oxford Centre for Enablement
Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre
NHS Trust
Windmill Road
Headington
Oxford
OX3 7LD
Introduction
Phone: 01865 227447
Fax:
01865 2272317
www.noc.nhs.uk
The aim of this leaflet is:-
This leaflet is intended for
people who through their
disability have difficulty
operating electrical appliances
around the home.
MW May 2009 Version 3
MJW 10/2007 Version 1
© 2007 Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre
© 2005 Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre
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to give an introduction to
one possible solution called
an environmental control
system
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to describe the local service
and how to access it.
What is an environmental
control system?
Environmental control systems
are special remote controls that
can operate a wide range of
electrical equipment.
Unlike standard remote controls
which often have a large number
of buttons environmental controls
can be operated with the
minimum of effort from just a
single button or even by voice.
Each system is modular and can
be programmed to suit your
needs.
Service Description
Service and Support
The service currently supports
about forty people in the
community and typically
provides six new systems per
year.
All systems are supported by a
comprehensive maintenance and
support service that is arranged
with the company that supplies
the system.
The service usually runs with a
waiting list which is managed on
date of referral.
Equipment operated
Referrals
Referrals can to be made by
Social or Health Care
Professionals.
Provision process
How much does it cost?
The service is provided free by
the NHS.
Who gets one?
Anyone with a long term
disability who would benefit from
the use of a system.
You need to be resident at your
permanent home address.
Assessments are carried out in
your own home usually with your
Community Occupational
Therapist.
If it is decided to proceed with a
system then a further home visit
will be arranged with a
representative from the
appropriate company who will
carry out the design. Sometimes
there is a need for electrical
work to accommodate the
system.
Installation usually takes place
within six weeks and takes one
or two days.
Environmental Control Systems
can operate a range of electrical
appliances in the home including:
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Door entry systems
Mains appliances i.e. lamps
Loud Speaking Telephones
Audio/Visual equipment
Intercoms and alarms
Powered beds
Riser recliner/chairs
Powered door openers
Powered window openers
Powered curtain openers
Access to computers and
communication aids
If required the control unit can be
mounted on a powered
wheelchair to allow operation of
equipment from room to room.
The system can also be operated
from manual wheelchairs, static
chairs and beds.