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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Mobility aid patients face NHS delays | Mobility aid patients face NHS delays |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Hundreds of disabled patients reliant on NHS equipment to help them move have suffered delays of up to a year, a BBC investigation has revealed. | Hundreds of disabled patients reliant on NHS equipment to help them move have suffered delays of up to a year, a BBC investigation has revealed. |
| Complaints by patients using equipment including leg braces and neck collars prompted a review of the service. | Complaints by patients using equipment including leg braces and neck collars prompted a review of the service. |
| Patient group Healthwatch Cornwall found the delays left "vulnerable people at more risk of harm". | Patient group Healthwatch Cornwall found the delays left "vulnerable people at more risk of harm". |
| NHS Kernow said it was confident the issue was under control and waiting times were improving. | NHS Kernow said it was confident the issue was under control and waiting times were improving. |
| More on this story and other news from Devon and Cornwall | More on this story and other news from Devon and Cornwall |
| NHS Kernow reported the longest delay a patient suffered since October 2014 was 136 days, however Helen Purchase from Hayle said her leg calliper "took well over a year to make and it was modelled on something I had before." | NHS Kernow reported the longest delay a patient suffered since October 2014 was 136 days, however Helen Purchase from Hayle said her leg calliper "took well over a year to make and it was modelled on something I had before." |
| She contracted polio 65 years ago and uses two callipers provided by the NHS. | She contracted polio 65 years ago and uses two callipers provided by the NHS. |
| She said: "If I take my callipers off when I get up first thing in the morning I can hardly move around at all, I can't put any weight on my right leg. It's absolutely my lifeline." | She said: "If I take my callipers off when I get up first thing in the morning I can hardly move around at all, I can't put any weight on my right leg. It's absolutely my lifeline." |
| Figures from the NHS Kernow stated the 496 people suffered delays between October 2014 and September 2015. | Figures from the NHS Kernow stated the 496 people suffered delays between October 2014 and September 2015. |
| Three private orthotists treat about 6,300 people in the county on behalf of the NHS. | |
| Patients are provided with free surgical appliances including leg callipers, footwear and splints. | Patients are provided with free surgical appliances including leg callipers, footwear and splints. |
| A report by Healthwatch Cornwall based on patient feedback found they were frustrated over long waiting times and poor communication. | A report by Healthwatch Cornwall based on patient feedback found they were frustrated over long waiting times and poor communication. |
| It said: "These points exacerbate the current issues they face around living an independent pain free life." | It said: "These points exacerbate the current issues they face around living an independent pain free life." |
| Healthwatch Cornwall key findings: | Healthwatch Cornwall key findings: |
| Evelyn Mann, 70, who lives in Bodmin waited for almost seven months to get her leg calliper refurbished after it started causing a leg sore. | Evelyn Mann, 70, who lives in Bodmin waited for almost seven months to get her leg calliper refurbished after it started causing a leg sore. |
| She said: "You get very frustrated that your life is passing you by waiting for something which is keeping you on your feet." | She said: "You get very frustrated that your life is passing you by waiting for something which is keeping you on your feet." |
| NHS Kernow refused to comment on individual cases but apologised for the delays and said "patient experience is high" according to its latest survey. | NHS Kernow refused to comment on individual cases but apologised for the delays and said "patient experience is high" according to its latest survey. |