YOU would think in this day and age that anyone who needs a powered wheelchair would get one immediately – and with a first class back-up service. You’d be wrong . . .
A new report highlights the problems facing disabled people in getting a powered wheelchair
The survey – the first of its kind in the UK to ask wheelchair users for feedback on how they obtain and use their powered wheelchair – finds that disabled people and their families often struggle to locate relevant information about funding options, make an informed choice about provision and to get value for money when buying and maintaining their powered wheelchair.
Statutory provision is limited and powered wheelchairs are predominantly purchased privately or with charitable help.
The survey of 374 powered wheelchair users finds that:
48% didn’t get the right information.
Over a third (37%) get no assessment.
A quarter (26%) are turned down for NHS funding.
32% had to fund their own powered wheelchair completely themselves.
Powered wheelchairs have the potential to help many disabled adults and children to be more independent and the correct supportive seating can promote good posture and so reduce the need for future medical interventions.
However, with more than 300 models available, getting the right one to suit individual needs is vital. Powered wheelchairs are expensive products (some cost over £40,000) that are used every day and therefore require regular maintenance, which, in turn means extra costs.
Robin Hindle Fisher, chair of the Independent Commission on Extra Costs, said: “Living lives like everyone else’s costs more if you are disabled. One of the main reasons is that all too often disabled people are paying more than they should in many areas of their lives.
“This investigation shows that supply of powered wheelchairs is a good example of a market that makes it difficult for disabled people to be savvy consumers and get the best deals.
“It’s very disappointing that access to crucial information, assessments and funding are all haphazard. The current system is certainly not helping disabled people to get the best deals.
“The extra costs disabled people pay have a direct impact on living standards, prevent many from contributing fully to their local communities and from doing many of the things most of us take for granted.
“We hope that manufacturers and the NHS now listen to what disabled people are saying about the supply of powered wheelchairs.
“Our Commission on Extra Costs will take a close look at this information in conjunction with all the other evidence we are gathering and then publish our recommendations on how we can improve the supply of goods and services to disabled people.”
The Commission on Extra Costs runs until June. It is an independent inquiry that is exploring the extra costs faced by disabled people and families with disabled children in England and Wales.
