Blue Badge reform Survey

2. Methods

2.1 The survey went to all 32 Local Authorities, and responses were received from all of them. A separate but related survey was sent to all 14 local NHS Health Boards, and responses were received from all.^[7] Both survey forms are attached as Appendix B to this paper. (Appendix A includes background tables on Blue Badge statistics from the Scottish Household Survey).

2.2 The approach to analysing the responses was in two distinct parts. Firstly the textual description, which was provided by each Local Authority was read in order to try and identify the process(es) by which applications were submitted, considered and accepted or rejected. Secondly detailed comparisons were made of the responses to each of the other questions, between different Local Authorities’ responses, and Health Boards responses. There was also a process of cross-referencing the responses of Local Authorities and the Health Boards which cover the same populations.

2.3 The survey of Local Authorities sought data on: whether and how Health Boards give assistance over mobility assessments and the cost of transferring funds for such assessments; it asked for the percentages of the applications which are assessed by an OT or other healthcare professional; and it asked for the refusal rate for discretionary applications. It also had a general question asking for an outline of the process of application as it currently occurs in the Local Authority.

2.4 The survey of Health Boards asked questions on the following topics: whether a Health Board undertook mobility assessments, and who for; who undertakes the assessments; whether the assessor sees the applicant; whether the Health Board pays a fee, and to whom; which budget those fees come from; and how much was spent on those fees in 2009/10 and 2010/11.

2.5 Additionally background information on the demographic and household profile of Blue Badge holders was identified from the Scottish Household Survey, which are listed in Appendix A.