Who actually funds MANDATORY electric wheelchairs?

Wibbles

I have requested an electric wheelchair assessment, over 2 months ago - nothing heard yet.

But who actually pays for and provides electric wheelchairs - NHS or LA ?

ie) Who are wheelchair services ?

I applied through my LA but it appears that the assessment is provided via NHS .....

Wibbles

Does anybody know where the money actually comes from ?

Albus_Scope

I believe they're covered by the NHS, though I know other charities like the Red Cross loan out their own supply of wheelchairs. 

Wibbles

Albus_Scope said:

I believe they're covered by the NHS, though I know other charities like the Red Cross loan out their own supply of wheelchairs. 

But for some reason the LA make the arrangements 

Wibbles

The issue of an electric wheelchair is MANDATORY and FREE from the LA who are duty bound to offer a free assessment via NHS. They do alternatively offer a health budget which allows you to spend the money on an alternative wheelchair 
Again this is MANDATORY.. 
So anyone spending their own money needs to query it

forgoodnesssake

Wheelchair services are NHS provision (we were at a  power chair assessment and measuring yesterday for my son)  I have no experience of the LA being directly involved in adult provision and they certainly don't fund them as far as I am aware.

There are 3 basic options: "notional budget" where they assess the level of clinical need and provide a chair to meet that need and then they take all responsibility for it (so it's not technically yours, it's on loan as it were)

Then notional budget plus, where they provide it but you can pay for optional extras like lights (which we are doing) or a riser (unless it is clinically necessary and then the NHS should pay for that too)  the chair is still maintained by the NHS.

Third option is a personal budget where they assess and cost out your basic need and give you that amount (voucher or direct payment to the supplier as far as i know; not cash!) to put towards the chair of your choice, as long as it meets the needs they have identified.  As far as I know you can top it up or not as you wish but the chair then belongs to you and you have to deal with maintenance etc. 

This is the basic info we got yesterday.

Stellar

a lot of people have to go private / fundraise to get the wheelchairs they need, especially if they require specialist adaptation. NHS provision is artificially limited and charities cant meet all the demand.

kc1978

It's managed by you local Integrated care board, what used to be the Clinical Commissioning Group, so NHS funded. However many wheelchair services are run by private companies. They should work on a 18 week pathway. So from point of referral to collection of the chair should not exceed 18 weeks
 However I was referred in May and collected wheelchair in December. 
I would suggest looking for the wheelchair policy for your area. This can be found by contacting your ICB or on there webpage. Electric wheelchairs - there are specific answers needed, even 1 wrong will prevent success.        I am paying for mine through my PIP and through motorbility. As at time of assessment ramp was not installed, and access to 1 area was unsuitable door width. I was awaiting a DFG assessment. (This meant I was not prescribed an electric wheelchair).However I am happy with the self propelled I got after lots of "discussion" on my part. They say you start at the basic and then it's a tier system on what you are able to use and have most wheelchairs are through sunrise medical (NHS Contracted Provider).
They have brilliant products which you are not allowed. 
The ones available should be listed in the policy but generally it's the Q300 For electric.
Also be aware if they offer a personal wheelchair budget, this allows you to shop around or so it's sold, however the voucher value is at NHS discount price of what limited chairs are offered under NHS contract,  and not the retail price.          Also you become responsible for the annual service costs, they say this is included in the voucher value, but it does not cover the cost in reality. 
Hope this helps, but better to be prepared, so that they don't "trip you up" - my apologies for the phrase, as a full time wheelchair user I just couldn't resist it. 😂

Get the policy, check it, be prepared and highlight the parts relevant to you.                        Keep it in your bag when you attend your assessment and hope it stays there, unless you hit any barriers and show it them. They can't argue with their local policy, and private firms sign to say they will adhere to it! 

Wibbles

kc1978

Thanks - I was told (by LA OT) that there were limitations to what I can do with a (non-personally owned) chair, particularly NOT take it on a bus or anywhere in the car (don't imagine that it will split down and neither myself or my wife can lift any weight at all) so that limits me to local shops

This does seem to be a waste of time and money

The Q300 is over £6k - if NHS is willing to fund this amount - will they not offer me a £6k voucher to spend on a chair of my choosing ?

Mind you - the Q300 does look pretty good

Except for maximum safe slope 6 degrees - really ?

my slope to access my new extension is 1:12 - 5 degrees (which is the max permitted under regulations)

Wibbles

I have my electric wheelchair assesment tomorrow 
1.  Do I need a Care needs assessment in order to get a wheelchair budget? 
2.  If I do get issued with a NHS electric wheelchair - how long is it supposed to last for? If I did get a budget - is that a one off or bi-annual or what? 

kc1978

@Wibbles
No you don't need a care needs assessment. The wheelchair assessment is carried out on your first visit also is not required to access the wheelchair budget either.
The wheelchair will last and be repaired up to the point either it is no longer cost effective or until parts are not available.
So this could be years. I know someone who is in the 5th year.
If the chair is done routine way, through NHS they will service the wheelchair every year, also cover costs of repairs.
If you have the budget - you are responsible for service and repair costs, they say these are included in the voucher amount you receive.
They will replace wheelchair or review if Thier is a change in your need or condition, however the electric wheelchairs are limited. 

I would suggest getting hold of the wheelchair policy from the Integrated Care Board website for your area, or call and they should email.

So you LA OT is wrong, the wheel chair can go on buses, trains, in adapted vehicles (taxis/mini buses). Most busses lower and have ramps, but there is only 1 space and most adapted public buses if it's taken you have to wait for next bus.

I have the Q300 mini through motability, it is a great chair with great features however with the extra features my chair cost over £11,000.

The Price allocated if you accept the budget is not the retail price, unfortunately.
Example
I had a wheelchair lightweight foldable self propelled wheelchair from the NHS cost Retail was 1249.99 (for improving fitness and for journeys where I can not use my electric wheelchair).

The budget I was offered was £1080 (this included servicing). There was no way I could find anything close to what I needed for this. 
However if I had money to spare I could have used this to put towards the cost of the better chair (then I would have said it is worth it). 

It's not a fair system, I would also say even with the voucher the chair you choose needs to be approved as meeting your needs. It's so complicated and unfair a system.

Good Luck hope this helps and makes sense.

K

kc1978

Stellar said:

a lot of people have to go private / fundraise to get the wheelchairs they need, especially if they require specialist adaptation. NHS provision is artificially limited and charities cant meet all the demand.

@Stellar your right however many charities are currently closing to new applications, and obtaining charity support is more difficult.
Some charities also exclude wheelchair and mobility equipment or anything which is provided/available via the NHS.
Charities that are willing to support tend to be disease specific charities. 

It's great to have charities willing to do so much I know they all are doing the best they can and many people do benefit, but I find it quite sad when as a country we are just learning the cost and wasted money of decisions related to the pandemic. 

I have been greatful to receive help from charities on 2 occasions, with their help I got a recliner chair and a specialist bed, they contributed 60% and 50% of cost. This enabled me to purchase in 2 years what would have taken almost 4 years for me to save.  

I do feel that wheelchair choices are overly limited however and there should be more choice available. 

Unfortunately not everyone can afford private, and since becoming disabled in 2021 my savings were quickly and rapidly spent. 

I think disability provision in this country looks great on paper, but I have not always found it easy, useful or available. Without support of online communities, charities, family and close friends life would have been very difficult. It's still not easy but life goes on. 
I know through the communities such as this one, I am not alone, and many posts have helped me navigate the system and challenges others have faced.

Wibbles

kc1978 said:

Stellar said:

a lot of people have to go private / fundraise to get the wheelchairs they need, especially if they require specialist adaptation. NHS provision is artificially limited and charities cant meet all the demand.

@Stellar your right however many charities are currently closing to new applications, and obtaining charity support is more difficult.
Some charities also exclude wheelchair and mobility equipment or anything which is provided/available via the NHS.
Charities that are willing to support tend to be disease specific charities. 

It's great to have charities willing to do so much I know they all are doing the best they can and many people do benefit, but I find it quite sad when as a country we are just learning the cost and wasted money of decisions related to the pandemic. 

I have been greatful to receive help from charities on 2 occasions, with their help I got a recliner chair and a specialist bed, they contributed 60% and 50% of cost. This enabled me to purchase in 2 years what would have taken almost 4 years for me to save.  

I do feel that wheelchair choices are overly limited however and there should be more choice available. 

Unfortunately not everyone can afford private, and since becoming disabled in 2021 my savings were quickly and rapidly spent. 

I think disability provision in this country looks great on paper, but I have not always found it easy, useful or available. Without support of online communities, charities, family and close friends life would have been very difficult. It's still not easy but life goes on. 
I know through the communities such as this one, I am not alone, and many posts have helped me navigate the system and challenges others have faced.

I was given an adjustable bed by the LA OT team
It appears to depend on where you live in the country 

kc1978

@Wibbles
It is definitely a post code lottery for funding. 
Things like the Disabilities Facilities Grants there are variances up and down the country which means that some councils are more supportive. As the government only issued guidance, this is allowed. It also passes the buck. 
I was told by one MP who overseas the DFG from the government, they can not get involved in local authority decisions.

Wibbles

OK Had wheelchair assessment - resulting in being offered a Q300 Mini chair - which will be delivered within a month !!

I decided not to go down the personal wheelchair budget and stick to a "non-personally owned" chair

Albus_Scope

Excellent news @Wibbles I hope it's super comfy for you, they look pretty nimble.  

kc1978

@Wibbles , you will love it. They are very comfortable and great chairs. Super pleased for you.

Wibbles

Thanks - they have 6 wheels - the middle two are powered and the thing can rotate around on its own axis - extremely manoeuverable !

Wibbles

I have my wheelchair delivered this morning 
It's pretty good 
It's a Q300 mini 
It even has the seat rise facility 
It was provided by NHS 

Adrian_Scope

That's great news @Wibbles. How are you finding it so far?

Wibbles

Adrian_Scope said:

That's great news @Wibbles. How are you finding it so far?

It's good
It is saving my arms - rather than crawling on the floor I am travelling to the toilet in my chair