Occupational Therapy News OTnews May 2020 | Page 47

COVID-19 FEATURE
the questions; and allowing more time during the assessment to
support vulnerable and lonely people.
Acknowledgement is given to applicants that this assessment
method is a reasonable adjustment, that is important at this time.
The majority of applicants have been willing to participate in this
new way and have been generous with their time and the giving
of information over the telephone. For many people, the assessor
might be the first person that has asked how they are getting on, or
may even be the first human contact that individual has had in some
days.
People can often become tearful when speaking about their
problems. During a face-to-face assessment, the assessor is able to
hand over a tissue, give reassurance and empathy.
It is much harder for health professionals to respond in the way
they would like to a tearful applicant over the telephone, however
they can offer verbal support and local information on accessible
help during the outbreak.
A robust scrutiny of applications can still be offered when using
all of the resources available, including all of the information provided
in the application, cross-referencing with health and social care
records, and information provided by the applicant in person.
It is acknowledged that further assessment may be required
should the applicant reapply at a future date, as assessing
particular elements of mobility can be difficult over the telephone, for
example gait patterns and checking the appropriate use of mobility
equipment.
It is really important to consider that the independent mobility
assessment provides more than just the outcome of a Blue Badge
application. It is a contact with a registered health professional who
uses all of their clinical skill to ensure there are good outcomes for
the applicant.
In a few cases, the inability to conduct face-to-face
assessments makes eligibility more difficult to determine. Where
doubt remains, awarding a temporary badge (from one year –
three years is possible in the legislation) and recording that, should
You can find the latest advice on symptoms and self-
isolation here: www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus
The Scottish Government has launched a new helpline
for people who are at high risk from coronavirus and
do not have a support network at home, including
disabled people. Tel: [phone]
In a recent telephone call made to a gentleman in his 70s, while
the assessor was asking questions about his walking he volunteered
that he likes to walk daily to his local shop to buy the newspaper.
Following some further questioning, it became clear that he was
in the shielding category and had received a letter from the Scottish
Government advising that he should not be leaving his home.
The gentleman did not think that walking to the local shop –
because this had been his daily routine for years – was included in
the advice to ‘stay at home’. With a little explanation about how the
virus is transmitted via human to human contact, the gentleman
realised that he was putting himself at risk by going out into the
community daily.
There have been challenges for assessors to continue to offer
person centred approaches, including: ensuring that the applicants
are able to communicate using their preferred method and
language; supporting people via telephone or video call who have
sensory loss; arranging for family members or carers to be present
to offer support and, where necessary, to help the applicant answer
National guidance is being updated regularly here:
www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/
Parking information is available at: www.britishparking.
co.uk/write/Documents/COVID-19/Local_Authority_
Parking_Operational_Advice_during_Covid_19_-_
Scotland_V2_6_April_2020.pdf
the applicant reapply they will be reviewed at a face-to-face
assessment, is possible.
Where a decision cannot be made without a face-to-face
assessment, applicants are advised that their application cannot be
processed at this time, but will be completed when the appropriate
level of assessment can be undertaken.
Applicants who clearly do not meet the eligibility criteria will
routinely have been refused at desk-based assessment, therefore
the numbers of applicants where extreme doubts remain is
anticipated to be low.
The onus remains with the applicant to provide supporting
evidence and where there is not enough the application may be
declined.
Local authority parking teams have been advised that they should
not issue Penalty Charge Notices to citizens using Blue Badges with
an expiry date of 1 January 2020 onwards.
This relaxation of enforcement against expired Blue Badges will
continue until 30 September 2020, and applies to local authority
parking only.
Individuals are encouraged to continue to submit applications.
Practical hurdles, such as getting photographs taken, submitting
paperwork, accessing systems while working remotely are being
addressed.
As much as possible, electronic systems are being used along
with telephone payments being taken by administration teams.
Applicants can directly contact their local Blue Badge administration
teams for support and information.
The Code of Practice review and development that the Scottish
Blue Badge Assessors Working Group were working on in
collaboration with Transport Scotland has been postponed until
further notice.
Claire Reid, senior practitioner occupational therapist,
Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership, and the Scottish
Blue Badge Assessors Working Group. Email: claire.a.reid@
aberdeenshire.gov.uk
OTnews May 2020 47