Electronic Assistive Technology Service

The Electronic Assistive Technology (EAT) Service South West is based at the Bristol Centre for Enablement. We provide specialist assistive technology to people who find using standard controls such as a television remote control or a keyboard difficult to use due to a physical impairment. This enables users to live more independently at home.

‘Assistive technology devices are intended to compensate for or alleviate an injury, handicap or illness or to replace a physical function.’ MHRA Guidance Assistive technology: definition and safe use, published 18 December 2014.
The EAT service provide the following technology to patients across the South West region, who meet the provision criteria set by NHS England (link to page on website).

Environmental Control (EC):

Enables the control of function in the physical environment and is intended to alleviate difficulty or inability to undertake the control function by normal means or standard controls due to physical impairment. (Handbook of Electronic Assistive Technology 1st Edition, Cowan D & Najafi L, 2018)

EC equipment enables the user to operate electronic or electrical devices within their environment using alternative methods.

Computer Access Equipment: 

Equipment that enables the user to employ alternative methods to access a computer when the standard interfaces (such as a keyboard, mouse or touchscreen) become difficult to operate due to physical impairment.

EAT SW is a multi-disciplinary team employing clinical scientists, occupational therapists, technicians and technologists and administrators.

Referrals:

Any patient within the region meeting the provision criteria can be referred into the service. This requires a referral form to be completed by a health or social care professional and sent through to the EAT team. Forms are available on this website and also by contacting the service direct.

Training: 

The EAT team offer training sessions to local teams and groups across the region. If you would like to discuss this please contact the office.