Hundreds of disabled and infirm Oxford people are having to wait more than six months for specially trained experts to come to their aid.

Only six occupational therapists (OTs) are assigned to city patients by Oxfordshire Social Services, even though 400 people need their help.

The OTs assess people who find it difficult to do everyday tasks in their own homes, before installing equipment like hand-rails, wheelchair ramps and hoists.

Judith Argles, social services' occupational therapy and sensory impairment manager, said people were directed to them by GPs, district nurses, other social services staff and family members.

Many of them have suffered strokes or have debilitating diseases.

Ms Argles said about 100 people were referred to the service every month. Most had to wait six to 12 months for an initial assessment, but serious cases were given priority.

She said: "It is a problem in this area because there's a high demand for assessment. A lot of people want to be at home, rather than in hospital or in residential care.

"People do have to wait for an assessment. We write or talk to people to find out what their needs are. If someone is extremely vulnerable or can't do things like get to the lavatory, then clearly they would be a much higher priority."

The team is working closely with other organisations to speed up the system.

Small pieces of equipment can often be picked up from the Carers' Centre, in Cowley Road, east Oxford, while social services also has strong links with Dialability, an information and advice line for the disabled.

Ms Argles said: "From time to time we have vacancies or additional funds, so we have been quite lucky in Oxford where we can get locums who want a bit of short-term work.

"Two of the OTs are specialist posts. One works with disabled children, and the other works with Oxford City Council housing department, helping people with particular housing needs."

A Carer Centre spokesman said: "There are not enough OTs really and we can only supply our clients with small pieces of equipment.

"We have a lot of people coming in who we refer to social services for assessment, but we have to warn them that it could be a while before they will be seen."