Here we go again - OT wants to discharge ds

[LIZS]

Got a letter yesterday to say that because ds (11) has had any active intervention in past year they now have a policy of removing such children from the list. He hasn't needed any formal assessment since November 08 but she did write a rperot with further recommendations for his school last summer after we had a discuussion over the phone.

WWYD ? Arrange an appointment just for the sake of keeping him on the list or risk having to wait 12 weeks ( initial one was 18 months) to re-refer if needs be ? ds is due to change school next year so will need an updated report and another EP assessment this summer.

That is what (I thought) we started to do in 2008 and last summer. Considering things like sensory issues in a bigger school environment. Because he is functionally ok, he falls low on the pririty list. For example, school have raised the issue of seped of handwriting again though , but by standards the OT sees he is ok enough. He has touch typing lessons and can use (but has not been supplied with) a laptop for lessons.

I'm torn between feeling that we waste the OT's time and feeling indignant that ds is n't deserving enough to get help .

If your area is anything like mine there is likely to be a huge waiting list for OTs. This means that children are often deregistered when historically they would have been kept on.

If it were me I would do what you could to keep him on the list. The waiting list round here is month and months long even for very needy children.

Think I'll ring tomorrow and let her know that school are raising concerns which we need to follow up. Tone of letter is such that it may already be too late to stay on the list

left a message ....

You're not in my area are you?? my DD was removed from the OT's list with a sheet of exercises at 7yo, DS2 is still being seen by the OT at school, but only because he is in Y1 and is unable to produce ANY written work due to pencil control (lack thereof!) and has no laptop as the school only have one available for SEN, and a DC in Y5 has it...till he leaves...I'm dreading next year when they want to remove DS2 from the list, as he can walk (a bit...) They just don't have the resources in our area....

It is standard practice to remove a child from the OT caseload if they have not required any intervention for about a year. Its a standard letter, so I wouldn't be worrying that it means you cannot be seen again. This is because of clinical guidelines about whether it is beneficial to the child or therapist to keep them on a list, even if there is no intervention needed. Not about waiting lists, as nowadays patient care is supposed to be focused on quality, not quantity. The OT's role is also to educate the school about his needs, and for them (and yourself) to follow the programme recommended. If the programme isn't working and there are other needs, you just need to ask to be re-referred and that is perfectly acceptable

I agree with Sarahwest. I am a qualified OT and can appreciate your concerns. Unfortunately in order for an OT service to continue recieving new acute referrals, they need to discharge those who have reached the end of their current phase of treatment. Patients cannot stay on the books forever just in case comething else comes up as they would be completely swamped. A re-referral is always possible and once known to a service a follow-up appointment may not take as long to come through next time.

I got this letter too.

We live in Walthamstow.

My son has cerebral palsy and cannot use his left hand at all. He gets no OT whatsoever.

I've given up fighting because it gets nowhere. There are just not enough staff and when they have given us any help its been as minimal as they can make it.

What is the difficulty with OTs and employing them???? Our borough says they cannot get a full time OT to work for them. They just have two part time locums (who must be being paid a fortune) and have had for about a year now.