Equipment and adaptations to the home

Equipment and adaptations to the home

We aim to support you to live safely and as independently as possible. One of the ways it can do this is through providing equipment for daily living or an adaptation to your home.

What is equipment for daily living?

There is a wide range of specially designed equipment available to promote independence.

These aids or equipment can help you in everyday life; for example, grab rails, a raised toilet seat, a commode, special mattress or gadgets in the kitchen. For simple aids that cost less than £30 we can prescribe the equipment for you to choose at local accredited pharmacies. There is no charge for items of equipment and more complex items will be delivered within 7 working days. Special items not in stock may take longer to be provided. 

Simple aids for daily living support people to maintain their independence in mobility, toileting, bathing, cooking, dressing, reaching, eatingand so on. Items can include kettle tippers, shower stools, reachers, adapted cutlery as well as grab rails. These can benefit many more residents than those eligible for statutory support. Many of these items often cost less than £30 with others up to around £100.

Complex aids to daily living are products, largely provided by the council its partners, to support care in the home setting e.g. specialist beds, hoists, bath lifts and standing frames. These items often have electrical or hydraulic components and cost more than £100.

This specialist equipment is equipment uniquely specified and sourced for an individual.

See Specialist equipment

What is a home adaptation?

If you are a disabled person, a home adaptation can help to give you more freedom into and around your home plus and access essential facilities within it. They normally include the type of works where structural changes are needed to your home such as:

• Fitting a stair lift
• Replacing a bath with a walk in shower or fitting an over-bath shower
• Adapting your home for wheelchair use (e.g. widening doors, installing ramps or a ceiling track hoist)     

How can I apply for equipment or an adaptation to my home?

All requests for either equipment or an adaptation must start with an assessment of your needs by Hammersmith & Fulham Children Services or the Community Service Departments

If your needs can be met with a simple item of equipment or minor adaptation, your assessor will arrange for this to be prescribed or provided via the council.

Who can get equipment or an adaptation?

We cannot guarantee that your request for equipment or a major change to your home will be agreed. 

You will need to meet certain eligibility criteria. If you are an adult you will need to have a "Threshold of Greater Moderate" or above under Fair Access to Care Services (FACs) for the provision of any service from the Community Services Department.

» Fair Access to Care Services

» Getting assessed for adult social care services

For major adaptations, the works must be necessary and appropriate to meet the needs of a person who has a permanent and substantial disability. This is usually assessed by an occupational therapist. In many situations needs can be met appropriately by providing equipment and therefore an adaptation would not be considered.

It is also important that installing the works is reasonable and practical in terms of the property. In some instances where an adaptation is not possible, moving home may be a more suitable option.

Who do I contact to assess my needs?

If you are a disabled person over the age of 18 years a referral to the occupational therapy service can be made by you, a friend or relative, a voluntary organisation, the hospital or your doctor.

For further information, or to apply to the occupational therapy service, please visit or contact:

H&F Advice
145-155 King Street
Hammersmith, London W6 9XY
Tel: 0845 313 3935
Minicom: 020 8753 5089 (for deaf and hearing impaired people)
Fax: 020 8753 5880
Email: h&fadvice.care@lbhf.gov.uk  

If you need an assessment for a disabled child, contact the Childrens' Contact and Assessment Service:
145-155 King Street
Hammersmith 
London W6 9XY
Tel: 020 8753 5392
Fax: 020 8753 5880
Email: h&fadvice.care@lbhf.gov.uk

Nearest tube: Hammersmith or Ravenscourt Park

» Read more information about grants

Specialist walking equipment
Hammersmith and Fulham residents

Community Rehabilitation Service
14-16 Stamford Brook Avenue
London, W6 0YD

Tel: 020 8383 6411
Fax: 020 8383 6412