How do you decide on the priority for a referral?

Here is a guide to our priorities for dealing with referrals. This should give you some idea of how we will prioritise your request for an assessment.

1st priority - urgent requests - we will respond to these within one week:

• Someone with a terminal illness.
• Someone at risk of injuring themselves or their carer, for example where a carer has to lift someone.
• Discharge from hospital in cases where adequate short term arrangements cannot be organised.
• When vital equipment or adaptations we have supplied have become hazardous.

2nd priority:

• Someone whose lack of ability or disability has a severe impact on their lifestyle and/or that of their carer.
• People with arrangements for planned discharge from hospital but require more long term solutions.

3rd priority:

• Someone whose difficulties have minimal effects on their life style.

Although we will try to carry out assessments as soon as possible, some people with low priority referrals may be asked to wait.  If this is the case, they may be able to access information and advice through local voluntary organisations and disability equipment retailers.  For example, they may choose to make their own arrangements with support of our self assessment tool.  More information is available from Customer Services at your local Adult Social Care office.

More information about the Cumbria Occupational Therapy Self Assessment Tool