In October’s ‘Driving Mobility Centre of the Month’ we focus our spotlight on South Wales Mobility & Driving Assessment Service in Rookwood Hospital in Llandaff Cardiff

They offer impartial and professional advice that will enable people who are elderly or have a disability to achieve their optimum level of independent outdoor mobility.

South Wales Mobility & Driving Assessment Service (SWMDAS) service set up by Nell Edwards MBE over 30 years ago, operating from a small shop in Cardiff for a few years, but it soon became apparent that they needed to move to bigger and better premises.

After several years of negotiating SWMDAS finally merged with Rookwood Hospital and moved their premises in 1991. They became accredited by the Forum of Assessment Centres UK, which is now Driving Mobility.

Initially, they only assessed on 2 days per week at Rookwood, slowly becoming busier as demand for the service grew.

Sandra Hutchings – Director of Services has worked for the service for 35 years, Helen Mundell and Jeff Botwood both for over 28 years, and have all seen a lot of changes, including the opening of the outreach service in Pembroke Dock.

They started assessing drivers there once a month and now assess at least once a week as demand has increased.

In 2017 they started the Fitness to Drive scheme with Dyfed Powys Police, which has been very successful, and are planning to go live with South Wales Police in October/November 2021.

SWMDAS started up their own Driver Training Scheme, where Advanced Driving Instructors (ADI’s) undertake lessons using their vehicles after office hours. This has proved very successful, as there are limited driving schools locally with car adaptations, and they now have a waiting list for this service.

Owing to their success the team is aiming to move to new premises at the Rookwood site after Christmas 2021. The new building will be more suitable for the range of services they provide and with more consulting rooms, which will increase assessments and for the service to develop further.

We wish everyone the best of luck!

If you are local to the Cardiff area and want to find out more about how the South Wales Mobility & Driving Assessment Service team could help you or someone you know please visit:

http://www.wmdas.co.uk

Tel: 029 2055 5130

Email: info@wddac.co.uk

#MyDrivingMobility #DrivingAssessments #DisabledDrivers @SouthWalesMobilitycentre #Cardiff #Wales

In this professional video, the assisted driving and mobility assessment services provided by Driving Mobility are showcased through the William Merit Centre in Leeds. This centre is part of the Driving Mobility network across the UK. Find your local centre here

Driving Mobility, supported by the Department for Transport As a registered charity, Driving Mobility accredits a network of 20 driving assessment centres covering the whole of the UK. Many with outreach facilities, these centres include independent charities and NHS centres which offer professional information and assessment so disabled and elderly people can gain or retain independence.

Driving Mobility ensures that there are common standards, promotes good practice and offers training and education to all regional centres, whilst working closely with associated national organisations. These include the Department for Transport, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, Driver and Vehicle Agency (NI), Motability and the Police, along with many other valued stakeholders.

Driving Mobility is privileged to have Baroness Thomas of Winchester as their patron, and is supported by HM Government.

#MyDrivingMobility

Some useful information from Regional Driving Assessment Centre (RDAC) for Hull and East Riding and Greater Manchester areas.

It can be difficult getting out and about, especially if you don’t drive, but did you know there are options you can explore?

RDAC are offering free advice and support to explore what travel options are available to you in your local area and beyond.

RDAC Manchester A5 leaflet_email

RDAC Hull A5 leaflet_email

Representing Driving Mobility, Occupational Therapists from the William Merritt Disabled Living Centre and RDAC Salford will be demonstrating their driving assessment services for young disabled people at Kidz to Adultz North.

Thursday 14th November 2019. 9.30am – 4.30pm, EventCity, Barton Dock Road, Manchester.
M17 8AS. Stand F27. Free entry and parking.

Supported by the Department for Transport, Driving Mobility centres offer professional support and driving assessments for young disabled people who wish to learn or retain the ability to drive. Each of the twenty centres accredited by Driving Mobility, many with outreach facilities, operate either as independent charities or within an NHS Trust. Occupational Therapists (OTs), Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) and Administration staff support young individuals signposted from the DVLA, Motability, Police and healthcare professionals such as OTs and GPs.

Aspiring new drivers can apply for their provisional licence from 16 if they have a qualifying disability however a clinically-led fitness to drive assessment needs to take place – this is where Driving Mobility can assist following a self-referral or professional recommendation. OTs and advisors from the William Merritt Disabled Living Centre in Leeds and RDAC Salford will be able to explain this process at Kidz North along with all other services that signpost individuals to accessible driving. Both centres own a fleet of adapted and wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) so test drives and driver evaluation can be delivered for a variety of abilities. With professional advice from Driving Mobility, clients and supporting OTs can then proceed with sourcing the most appropriate vehicle for safe and comfortable driving.

Offering a fun and interactive opportunity, there will be a vehicle simulator on the stand at Kidz North for professionals and families to try. This feature is a replica of the equipment at many centres which is used to measure driver capabilities and will highlight certain considerations associated with adapted driving.

Edward Trewhella, Chief Executive, Driving Mobility comments: “As the national voice of assisted driving and independence, Driving Mobility is committed to helping as many young disabled drivers as possible get behind the wheel. Our services extend to all aspects of accessible travel particularly with our new Hubs initiative supported by the Department for Transport. The Driving Mobility stand at Kidz North will provide an invaluable opportunity for families and healthcare professionals to discover pathways to greater independent mobility for their clients and children.”

 

#MyDrivingMobility

Teams from Derby DrivAbility and Birmingham’s Regional Driving Assessment Centre (RDAC) represented Driving Mobility at Motability’s ‘The Big Event’ on Friday 28 June and Saturday 29 June 2019.

‘The Big Event’ is Motability’s flagship event and the teams had a busy two days on the Driving Mobility stand.

 

Henna Zaman, Derby DrivAbility and Steve Dent, RDAC were ready and waiting to say hello to visitors on day one. They answered any questions visitors had about assessment centre services, driving assessments, modifications, adaptations, driving safety and vehicle loading. They also demonstrated the Ford C Max to visitors.

In addition to the stand activity Steve Dent, Assessment Manager, and Barbara Hutton, Occupational Therapist delivered talks on ‘advice and support available at driving assessment centres’ in the busy main Speaker Area.

The One Big Day programme of events will now take place in four locations across the country, offering disabled motorists and their families the chance to discover worry-free motoring.  The regional One Big Days are free to attend and offer visitors the chance to see a large display of vehicles for disabled people.

The event will showcase:

• Over 50 cars from 25 different manufacturers
• Over 20 adapted cars and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAV)
• Over 35 scooters and powered wheelchairs
• Specialist advice from our Scheme partners

At One Big Day Exeter specialist advice will be available from:

• Motability Scheme advisors
• Adaptation and WAV specialists
• Disabled Motoring UK
• Driving Mobility
• Kwikfit, RAC and RSA Motability

The One Big Day event dates and venues are:

• One Big Day at Westpoint, Exeter, Saturday 27 July 2019
• One Big Day at Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate, Saturday 10 August 2019
• One Big Day at East of England Arena, Peterborough, Saturday 7 September 2019
• One Big Day at Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, Saturday 21 September 2019

Please check the Motability website for more information: https://www.motability.co.uk/news-views-and-events/one-big-day/

 

East Anglian DriveAbility and Hertfordshire Action on Disability Mobility Care are delighted to be attending Motability’s One Big Day at the East of England Arena in Peterborough on Saturday 8th September 2018, 9am – 4pm.

This is a fantastic opportunity to discover to talk to the friendly Driving Mobility centres and find out what each of the driving assessment centres do and the different services they have to offer. The teams will be able to supply professional, high quality information, advice and assessment to people who need to gain or retain independence through mobility.

One Big Day at the East of England Arena provides the perfect opportunity to discover everything you need to know about worry-free motoring with Motability. There is a huge range of cars, adaptations, Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles, scooters and powered wheelchairs on display and what’s more, admission is free!

A fun, fact-finding day out for all the family!

 

 

 

Wessex DriveAbility are delighted to be presenting their driving assessment services at Southampton General Hospital’s Open Day on Saturday 8 September 2018.

The 2018 Hospital Open Day will be taking place on Saturday, 8 September 2018 from 10.30am to 3.30pm at Southampton General Hospital with hundreds of activities and stalls on offer throughout the day.

The Open Day is a fantastic day for all the family to find out more about the hospital and UHS, the services we provide, the amazing opportunities available and ground-breaking work taking place.

The theme this year will be Health Hero Academy through the years and give visitors the chance to not only pick up new skills and have fun, but find out more about the history of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, as well as our plans for the future.

There will be numerous activities on offer and more information will be shared shortly.

There’s no need to book, just turn up on the day and have fun.

For further details please visit the hospital’s Facebook page 

Please note: some activities are subject to availability.

To find out more about your local Driving Mobility driving assessment centre please visit: https://www.drivingmobility.org.uk/find-a-centre/

#MyDrivingMobility

Dr Mary Stevenson, 54 from Anglesey, has become a Trustee of The Wales Mobility and Driving Assessment Service after its team ensured her driving freedom following a stroke.

The Wales Mobility and Driving Assessment Service is a registered charity whose main office is based at Rookwood Hospital in Cardiff.  The North Wales Centre is based at Glan Clwyd Hospital in Denbighshire  The overall service is managed by the Director based in South Wales supported by Centre Managers in the north and south Mobility Centres. The charity is an accredited member of Driving Mobility which is an umbrella organisation made up of twenty member centres, many with satellite centres nationwide, which offer professional information, advice and driving assessments to people seeking independent mobility. All centres are staffed by Occupational Therapists as well as Approved Driving Instructors so that safety for drivers with injuries, disabilities or restricted mobility is maximised. As well as conducting assessments on behalf of the DVLA, Motability and health professionals such as Doctors, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists, Driving Mobility also accept self-referrals.

During her rehabilitation, Mary employed the services of one of these centres so that she could learn to drive again and crucially, regain confidence on the road. Without the help and support of The Wales Mobility and Driving Assessment Service, Mary’s driving freedom would have been lost forever.

Mary, who originates from Glasgow, was 37 and working as a hospital consultant specialising in Genitourinary Medicine and AIDS in Birmingham, when she was diagnosed with a giant brain aneurysm. As the aneurysm was acting like a tumour, there were recognised symptoms which allowed an operation to be scheduled. However, Mary was informed the surgery would be extremely difficult and inherent risks meant a low survival prognosis. Mary defied the odds to survive the operation but experienced a stroke in the process. She spent the next few weeks on ventilation before being moved to Hillcrest Hospital in Birmingham for three months of rehabilitation.

During this time Mary notified the DVLA of her change in circumstances, her driving ability was assessed by the hospital’s mobility centre and she had to return her license. Four years ago, Mary and her husband moved to Anglesey and she made a New Year’s Eve resolution to learn to drive again. An online search highlighted Driving Mobility and Mary contacted her nearest centre –  The Wales Mobility and Driving Assessment Service.

Mary explains: “I had no idea what to expect but from the moment I arrived, the staff were very friendly and made everything so straightforward for me. They really held my hand throughout the whole process – from start to finish.  I was assessed by an Occupational Therapist to ascertain my abilities and driving requirements and then Gary Jones, the Centre Manager, accompanied me for a drive in an automatic car. As I can only use one hand, the car had a steering knob fitted with secondary controls so I could use all controls safely and independently. After a few hours, I left with a full plan of action advised by the centre.”

Mary comments: “Driving Mobility recommended an external driving instructor, who was a specialist in teaching people with disabilities, who helped me initially. Then Chris Jones became my new instructor, driving to my home to collect me for lessons. Around this time, my husband had a cardiac pacemaker fitted and couldn’t drive for a few months. I thought – what if neither of us were able to drive permanently and yet lived in a rural area? This really spurred me on and with Chris’ encouragement and support, I completed my final driving assessment in June 2017, allowing me to begin driving independently again.”

Mary now drives a Seat Ibiza with a steering knob and Lodgesons secondary controls. She is delighted to be behind the wheel once again and is continuing to gain confidence with ongoing support from Chris. She is also thrilled to have recently been invited to join the centre’s Board of Trustees and hopes her driving and medical experience can be helpful to other people in similar situations.

Mary concludes: “It can be very difficult to hear the news that you shouldn’t be driving. Knowing that facilities such as the Driving Mobility centres are available to assess people and to advise on matters such as driving adaptations and specialist tuition can be extremely helpful – to both doctors and members of the public. I am extremely thankful for the experience I have had with Driving Mobility. They have been absolutely brilliant. I hope through being on the Board of Trustees of The Wales Mobility and Driving Assessment Service that I can support other people, in the way that Driving Mobility has supported me.”

#MyDrivingMobility