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Written question asked by Grahame Morris (Labour) on Thursday, 17 March 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 March 2022 (named day). It was answered by Gillian Keegan (Conservative) on Tuesday, 22 March 2022 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Wheelchairs: Low Incomes

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking increase the supply of wheelchairs to widen access for people on low incomes.

Answer

National Health Service wheelchairs are available free of charge via the NHS Wheelchair Service, following an eligibility assessment. Since 2 December 2019, people who access NHS Wheelchair Services whose posture and mobility needs impact their wider health and social care needs also have a legal right to a personal wheelchair budget. Decisions on how these are provided are made locally on a case-by-case basis, based on clinical assessments. The Mobility Scheme is available for those who wish to buy or hire an electric wheelchair and allows some people to use their benefits to pay for a wheelchair.

Additionally, we are supporting access to appropriate disability equipment via NHS Supply Chain, which maintains a framework contract for the supply of rehabilitation and disabled services equipment, including wheelchairs, into the NHS and other healthcare settings.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
141961
Session
2021-22
Subjects
Low incomes Procurement Wheelchairs
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk