Published: 25 October 2006
Better Wheelchair Service
Progress in the drive to deliver better wheelchair services has been welcomed by Care Services Minister, Ivan Lewis with the publication of a Department of Health report "Out and About".
The document provides an overview of the current state of wheelchair provision and it:
· makes recommendations on how the NHS, working with partners, can improve outcomes for wheelchairs users
· outlines how timely & appropriate provision can contribute to health, well-being, independence, and inclusion
The key recommendations, which will feed into the development of a new model for delivery for wheelchair services, include:
· Benchmarking of services to ensure all users receive the same high standard
· Promotion of voucher schemes so wheelchair users can exercise more choice
Care Services Minister Ivan Lewis said:
"Wheelchairs provide a significant gateway to independence, promoting well-being and quality of life for thousands of adults and children.
We want to move to a position where wheelchair services are more flexible and responsive to individual need."
Sam Gallop, double amputee Advisor to the Associate Parliamentary Limb Loss Group and Chair of emPOWER said:
"This welcome consultative report rightly raises the profile of our wheelchair services and the many accomplished and compassionate health professionals and healthcare organisations involved.
I believe that the Department and the Minister, in collaboration with users, will rapidly move forward and open new doors to independent living."
The government says that the report and its recommendations will be key in the 'Transforming Community Equipment and Wheelchair Services Programme' the Care Services Efficiency Delivery Programme are running on behalf of the Department of Health.
On 22 June 2006 at the ‘Three Sector Summit’, the Prime Minister announced that the Department of Health would undertake a radical review of community equipment and wheelchair services – the Transforming Community Equipment Services Project – helping to make independence a reality – with the objective of developing a new model of service delivery in collaboration with all key stakeholders.
The review’s brief was to investigate how the entire provision of community equipment and wheelchair services across England could be opened to greater contestability.
Further information
Download Out and about - Wheelchairs as part of a whole systems approach to independence (2Mb)
Download Out and about – Summary version
Transforming Community Equipment Services Project
Transforming Community Equipment Services Project: Questions and Answers
Associate Parliamentary Limb Loss Group
Wheelchair Users Group
Care Services Efficiency Delivery Programme
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