Government Services
Mobility walking aids are available through the Physiotherapy Service This service can be accessed via your GP or other health professionals . For general enquiries ring Tel: 642158.
The Independent Living Centre, Level 1, Community Health Centre, Ballakermeen Road, Douglas, IM1 4BR provides advice and suppliers details on aids and equipment from the NHS and private businesses. Open Wednesdays 10am-2.30pm. A referral form must be filled in, see the Manx Care website or ring tel: 642561.
The Continence Advisor advises on the most suitable approach for a continence issue. Supplies are delivered to the home. This service is free of charge. Tel: 693551 for more information. Gellings of Kirby Farm Industrial Estate, Braddan deliver in unmarked vehicles.
Hearing aids can be available through the Audiology clinic after a hearing test that indicates that a hearing aid is needed. Tel: 650407 for general enquiries. This service has a self referral form or can be accessed through health professionals eg your GP or hospital Consultant.
Social Services and aids and equipment
Social Services can help with the installation of a ramp, lift or special equipment,for example a hoist needed in the home for convenience, comfort or safety. They may make a charge for doing this .
See https://www.gov.im/categories/home-and-neighbourhood/affordable-housing/house-improvement-adaptations-scheme-hias/http://www.gov.im/categories/home-and-neighbourhood/affordable-housing/house-improvement-adaptations-scheme-hias/nt/
Equipment
Social Services can help with aids to assist with dressing, eating, food preparation, sitting etc. However if small pieces of equipment are needed, it is much quicker to buy them at specialist stores. See private businesses below.
Wheelchairs and artificial limbs
These are supplied by the Department of Health, following recommendations from General Practitioners or hospital doctors.
You can contact Social Services direct by email for more information on the services they offer: disabilities@socialservices.dsc.gov.im
or telephone them on +44 1624 642147. You will be asked some questions and an appointment can be made for someone to call and see you.
Housing Matters – government housing
https://www.gov.im/categories/home-and-neighbourhood/affordable-housing/public-sector-housing/your-tenancy/moving-home/Moving home
Many tenants find that, at some stage, they need to move to a new home. This may be because their home is too big or too small for their needs or because they have a medical or social reason for moving. There are several options available to you, but you must have been a tenant in your current home for at least 12 months.
Transfer to another Department property you will need to fill in a transfer application form available from the customer services team (tel: +44 1624 685955) in order to be placed on the list. They will match you with a transfer if a suitable choice appears. However, please note that the Department will only consider a transfer within its own housing stock if a request is based on housing need,for example disability, overcrowding, etc.
Mutual exchange with a tenant from another housing authority – all the information and relevant forms are available on the Mutual Exchanges page.
See the website page at the top ofthis section for more information on terms and conditions.
Private Businesses
General Equipment
ManxMobility stock a wide range of products. As well as purchases, you can hire wheelchairs, scooters and equipment for the day, a week or a month. Tel: 07624 200680, email service@mems.im or check out www.manxmobility.com
KissackCareLtd provide a variety of disabled aids and equipment. Tel:611559 or view www.kissackcare.com.
ARC Learning Ltd (iom) stock equipment for sale or hire plus a servicing option. they also offer many courses e.g. moving and handling, care courses and first aid. Find them at 17C, Tromode Industrial Estate, Douglas. Tel: 246054, email: info@arclearning.im, view www.arclearning.im
Excellent Ramp systems (IOM) Ltd provide disabled access equipment at Alisa Cottage, Main Road, Ballasalla, IM9 2DA, mobile Tel: 428868.
Liftmann provides disabled access equipment including platform lifts, stairlifts, bathlifts, patient hoists and electric scooters. Tel:822568 or view www.liftmann.com.
For a glimpse of future equipment, see the amazing products now developed by Steeper, Assistive Technology at www.steepergroup.com , email:info@steepergroup.com or tel:0113 270 4841. Ideal for paraplegics and motor neurone disease sufferers.
Bikestyle Ltd Sales, Repair Services also repair some wheelchairs. Tel: 673576 . They are located at 42 Bucks Road, Douglas, IM1 3AD
Manx Carephone specialise in supplying phone contact provision so that help can be sought quickly and easily. They are located at 75 Main Road, Onchan, IM3 1AJ, Tel: 614108.
Vannin Careline provide carephones to support those on their own either temporarily or full-time. Tel: freephone 0800 433 2324
Hearing Aids
These can be arranged through the Manx National Health Service (via the Audiology Clinic – to find the self referral form, google Self referral for hearing assessment and hearing aids to access the form), or you may wish to be supplied by private firms, see below:
Hidden Hearing, Onchan Tel:617683
Island Hearing, Port St Mary Tel:830722
Isle of Man Hearing Solutions, Onchan Tel:898039, www.iomhearingsolutions.im
Specsavers (Hearing Centres), Douglas, Tel: 689500
Charities
Circa provides wheelchairs and mobility aids to hire to enable disabled people to shop in Douglas. It can be for a short time e.g. to go shopping or to go across for a health appointment. See www.circa.org.im, Tel: 613713, email enquiries@circa.org.im