North East Drive Mobility provides assessment, information and advice for any person with a disability or medical condition which may affect their ability to drive. The assessment is a clinical specialty and the team consists of Mobility Clinicians (Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists), Driving Advisers (Approved Driving Instructors), and administrative staff. The assessment aims to provide a solution where at all possible, to people with a range of complex medical conditions and disabilities. We stress the importance of balancing personal mobility with road safety. The team make a real difference to the independent mobility of people, by enabling them to access driving and other transport solutions.
Co-Production
From start: Yes
During process: Yes
In evaluation: Yes
Evaluation
Peer: Yes
Academic: No
PP Collaborative: No
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Sandra Hoggins - Centre Manager Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
North East Drive Mobility provides assessment, information and advice for any person with a disability or medical condition which may affect their ability to drive. The assessment is a clinical specialty and the team consists of Mobility Clinicians (Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists), Driving Advisers (Approved Driving Instructors), and administrative staff. The assessment aims to provide a solution where at all possible, to people with a range of complex medical conditions and disabilities. We stress the importance of balancing personal mobility with road safety. The team make a real difference to the independent mobility of people, by enabling them to access driving and other transport solutions. For our clients who are advised against driving, we offer information, support and advice on alternatives. We also provide a resources for health professionals and other agencies regarding this specialist area.
Wider Active Support
The Splinter Group is a user run, user led group of young adults with learning differences in Northumberland. Working together from the start was important as driving was a specific aim of some of the members of the group. The Splinter Group shaped the input from our service and it was important this partnership was led by them. North East Drive Mobility’s input helped the young people decide whether driving would be an option for them. It provided confidence and information for their road safety and travel planning. We responded to service user led requests by attending an initial Splinter Group meeting then provided an evening session on what our service could offer. This led to a visit by the Splinter Group to North East Drive Mobility where the young people could see our premises driving track and try out the static driving rig. They could view the range of vehicles and adaptations and meet members of the team on a one to one basis. This has led to further partnership working regarding planned support sessions for the theory test and potential driving assessment.
Co-Production
Feedback from the young people at the Splinter Group from the theory support sessions has been good, and several members of the group have made the decision to self-refer for driving assessments at North East Drive Mobility.
Looking Back/Challenges Faced
Looking back, as the approach had come from the young people themselves, we agreed to be very much led by them as to how the project developed. The challenges our service has had, is supporting the initiative from within current resources, where we have had to balance the involvement with current assessment priorities. However we think the approach worked well.
Sustainability
Now that the initiative is well under way, we understand that the young people themselves are widening the knowledge of the existence of our service to other young people with learning differences within the North East. We hope to be able to continue to support this. We will evaluate the initiative with a view to suggesting other potential ways of operating the scheme; eg support sessions being undertaken at the Centre if possible, and potential exploration of recruitment of additional driving instructor sessional support.
Evaluation (Peer or Academic)
Not as yet.
Outcomes
We have received self-referrals from the young people to undertake driving assessments, which is an indicator of their improved confidence in their ability to consider driving as an option.
Sharing
Yes, we shared the work with the others within the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust by way of nomination for Staff Awards. We have also shared the work with an Accredited Mobility Centre in Ireland. Information on the scheme will also be included within the Centre’s Annual Report to the Department for Transport.
Is there any other information you would like to add?
We appreciate that other Accredited Mobility Centres in the UK assist young people with learning differences regarding driving on an individual basis. A key element of this project is that the young people themselves support each other within the Splinter Group and they have also helped each other, supported by our service.
