Residents of Tasiilaq and the surrounding villages will be able to receive faster assessments and approvals for assistive devices if the municipality implements a new local program.
Residents of Tasiilaq will soon have faster access to assistive devices and will no longer have to endure long wait times for assessments and approvals. The plan is to have the need for support assessed more locally, so that residents are no longer dependent on infrequent visits from outside therapists.
On Thursday, May 28, the Finance and Business Committee of the Sermersooq Municipal Council approved a proposal to decentralize the assessment of assistive devices in Tasiilaq.
Currently, the assessment of assistive devices is handled centrally from Nuuk, while therapists travel to Tasiilaq and the surrounding settlements only twice a year for evaluations and follow-ups. This can result in waiting times for residents who need support in their daily lives.
The municipality is therefore moving forward with plans to hire a physical therapist or occupational therapist in Tasiilaq who will be able to conduct local assessments, home visits, and medical evaluations on an ongoing basis.
