Defining 'Reasonably Required'

Whether an item is accepted as reasonably required should be determined on the facts of each case.

Consideration should be given to:

• the estimated duration of the condition;

• the extent of assistance available to the employee from other members of the family;

• the types of items already in use by the employee;

• the availability of suitable or more appropriate items or unaided techniques;

• the capacity of the employee to use the items;

• the degree of need for the item (is there a reasonable requirement as distinct from wanting the item.  How often will it be used?);

• the level of improvement in the functional independence achieved by use of the item;

• whether provision of the item could contribute to rehabilitation and to what extent; and

• reasons for assessing that symptoms will not be alleviated or resolved without provision of the item.