An acute shortage of occupational therapists is affecting disabled people in Barnet.

Paul Edwards, director of physical disability and sensory impairment at Barnet Council, said about 40 per cent of the positions in occupational therapy in Barnet remained unfilled.

"A large proportion of the few staff we have are temporary," he said.

"They are from Australia, South Africa and New Zealand and tend to be just passing through."

There are some 15 occupational therapist posts in Barnet and nine assistant positions.

Mr Edwards said the borough had a stable number of therapists until about four years ago, when many of the staff reached retirement age.

Mr Edwards was speaking at the disabled support group Disability Action in Barnet's DAbB annual general meeting last Wednesday in the Professional Development Centre, High Road, North Finchley.

Jaspal Dhani, a director at DAbB, said the shortage of occupational therapists meant disabled people faced longer waiting times for equipment.

"Occupational therapists are the first people disabled people contact if their needs change.

"For example, if someone needs a bath lift and they have to wait 12 months then during that wait they cannot take a bath.

"It can affect their health and the crunch is that they have to turn to their family and friends and lose independence," he said.

To speak to a DAbB adviser, please telephone 020 8446 6935 or alternatively, you can email disability@dabb.org.uk.

Textphone users can call 020 8343 7632.

July 10, 2002 16:00