ECS

Environmental Control Systems

Environmental Control Systems (ECS) enable people with severe physical disabilities to increase personal autonomy, by independent use of appliances and equipment in the home. The ECS has a central control, usually operated by switches.

NHS provision of ECS equipment is not "means tested".

Provision of ECS equipment for the "Northern Region" is organised by Graeme Marsh, Regional ECS Assessor, based at the Neurological Rehabilitation Centre.

Graeme and Communicate are working together to establish a "single point of referral" for people needing both environmental control equipment and communication aids.

ECS equipment provision

• The controller and switches are provided by the NHS
• Social Services pays for any extra wiring or adaptations to the home
• Some appliances and equipment are provided by the NHS, some by Social Services and some by the user, for example:

• intercoms are provided by the NHS
• door openers by Social Services
• televisions by the user.
  

Environmental Control Systems can be used with a wide range of equipment.

ECS systems can turn appliances on and off at the mains, can control "dimmer switches" and can operate standard appliances that have in-built remote control features. Complex installations are similar to the pre-installed systems in "Smart Homes". There are also "simple systems" to control a small number of devices.

Examples of equipment that can be controlled:

• Care alarms
• Electronic Door locks
• Intercoms
• Telephones
• Mains lighting and "plug in" lamps
• Electrical heaters and remote-control gas fires
• Electrically operated beds
• Electrical curtain rails
• Radios
• Music Centres
• Televisions
• Communication aids
• Computers.
  

Population covered

Children and adults resident in the North East Strategic Health Authority, including students who also have a home elsewhere. It does not make any difference whether people live in:

• Owner occupied accommodation
• Rented accommodation
• Shared accommodation, with family and/or others
• Student accommodation
• Council housing
• Nursing homes
• Residential homes
• Warden controlled accommodation
• Hospitals or hospices

Where to Start

Ask your Social Services Occupational Therapist (O.T.) to refer you to Graeme Marsh for an ECS Assessment. If you do not have a Social Services O.T. ask your GP to do two things for you:

• refer you to Social Services Occupational Therapy
• refer you to Graeme Marsh for an ECS Assessment.
  

Contact:

Graeme Marsh
Regional Environmental Control Systems Service
Regional ECS Service Manager/Assessor
Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust
Tanners House
Gilesgate
Hexham
NE46 3QD
Tel: 01434 655 751/2
Fax: 01434 655 752
email: