Enable Ireland SeatTech Seating Assessment

What to expect from the service

If you are referred to the service for an assessment for a new seating system or wheelchair there is process that takes place between the assessment and the issue of the equipment that may involve a number of visits over a number of weeks or months.

Assessment

When your referral is accepted by SeatTech your name will be placed on our appointments list. You will then be given an appointment for an assessment. A clinician and technician will work with you through the assessment to determine the specification of the equipment you require. They will conduct a physical assessment while you are sitting in your own chair and while you sit and lie on a plinth.

It is important that the things you do or would like to do every day are taken into consideration as part of the decision-making process when choosing wheeled mobility and seating equipment. Some of the things that have to be considered may include: How do you get in and out of your chair? Where do you need to use it? What type of transport will you be using it with? When deciding on  a piece of equipment you will be able to look at the options available, sometimes you may have the opportunity to look at samples of the equipment options in the unit or alternatively a follow-up visit may be arranged to trial different products.

Prescription

A prescription detailing the specification of the equipment you require and the details of the supplier is then sent to the Occupational Therapist in your Health Service Executive Area. The therapist reviews the application and then forwards it on to the area administrator for funding. Once funding is agreed a purchase order is sent to the suppliers of the equipment.

Supply of Equipment

SeatTech or your Enable Ireland therapist will contact you with an appointment for a ‘fitting’ or ‘issue’ of your equipment when all the equipment has arrived and has been prepared as required. Sometimes a fitting is not required and sometimes more than one fitting may be required before the equipment can be upholstered and made ready for issue to you.

At the issue appointment  you will be given all the documentation that relates to your equipment , a demonstration on how  to assemble and disassemble it ,  instructions on important issues such as how to safely use your equipment, how to care and maintain your equipment in good working order, and if relevant, notice of any risks associated with using the equipment.

Follow-up

You will be provided with details on who to contact when you need follow-up. This could be necessary if, for example, your needs have changed or you need to have your equipment maintained or repaired. If requested SeatTech will follow-up on the maintenance and repair of the equipment it has manufactured.  SeatTech does not provide a  buggy or wheelchair repair service and these repairs need to be followed-up via the product supplier if still under guarantee or via an approved repairer nominated by the Occupational Therapy Service in your Health Service Executive Area.