In late 2023, Lesley Rowe, Occupational Therapist with the Forth Valley Neuro Rehabilitation Team and Lindsay McFadden, Physiotherapist with the Children’s Physiotherapy Team, successfully applied for joint funding to undertake an AHP Fellowship.
Their project supported the Your Posture Matters Strategy, focusing on the importance of postural care equipment for supported lying – essential for individuals with complex physical disabilities who may spend up to 70% of their day in bed. Such equipment can significantly improve comfort, sleep and prevent complications like increased muscle tone and pain.
The fellowship aims to scope suitable equipment for a local loan scheme, enabling trial use before purchase. While current provision often involves collaboration between clinicians and specialist companies, the lack of trial options can lead to unsuitable purchases — with equipment sometimes going unused.
Over the past year, Lesley and Lindsay have carried out extensive quality improvement work, engaging stakeholders and developing evaluation criteria. They recently presented their findings to our Senior Leadership Team, receiving strong support for the potential introduction of a short-term lending model for assessment kits.
They’re confident this will be a positive step forward, offering patients more personalised support and better outcomes from postural care equipment.
