Electric wheelchair restrictions

Wibbles

I have an electric wheelchair - loaned to me by NHS 3 months ago !

But I am not allowed to use it outdoors until I have an assessment (driving test!!!).

I have repeatedly requested an assessment from NHS - But they either  don't respond or tell me "I have raised this as a review and it will be triaged in due course"

Since I can't get a date for this test from NHS and am considering going out in it anyway - why should I have to obtain permission to go to the shops - something that I have been unable to do for 10 + years ?

JessieJ

Probably to cover themselves because it is electric & from the NHS, they need to know that you can control it & be safe. Would have thought they would do it at the same time as pick up though.

Wibbles

I am STILL waiting for a driving test/assessment for my wheelchair - despite having it for 10 weeks now - I am not allowed to use it out of the house/garden.

ps I took and passed an Advanced Driving Assessment in my car, 8 years ago !!

Rosie_Scope

That's so frustrating @Wibbles! Are they still giving the same response when you contact them? 

JessieJ

That is incredible, @Wibbles & disgusting! If you are comfortable & confident, then I reckon you should just go for it. Something that is supposed to give you freedom & because of them, you're a prisoner. Go shopping!

Wibbles

Rosie_Scope said:

That's so frustrating @Wibbles! Are they still giving the same response when you contact them? 

Yes they are

"You are currently on our waiting list to be seen at your home address for a powered wheelchair assessment.  Unfortunately I am unable to give you a date at present but will contact you once we have an appointment we can offer you."

Wibbles

JessieJ said:

That is incredible, @Wibbles & disgusting! If you are comfortable & confident, then I reckon you should just go for it. Something that is supposed to give you freedom & because of them, you're a prisoner. Go shopping!

I have again, just requested a date for the assessment - and told them that since I had waited 3 months since I was given the chair - I am considering returning it to them and going down the route of a PERSONAL HEALTH BUDGET instead !

JessieJ

I hope that gives them a nudge & you hear back quickly, @Wibbles, as it really isn't good enough. Going the way of a PHB will also take time to sort. It is a crazy, unnecessary situation.

Alan127

It seems that nobody understands the difference between a scooter to ease getting around mainly for older people and a Powerchair relating directly to lack of mobility through disability! I am now in trouble with keeping a new Powerchair in our flat as it has a charger, which has a Lithium-ion Battery, apparently is a fire hazard!

In Oct 2023, I entered into a Loan Agreement with East Sussex Wheelchair Service for Power Wheelchair, with a large Lithium-ion Battery now returned. The Powerchair was used, charged and stored in our flat for eight months until I terminated the Agreement recently because unfortunately it was not suiting my purpose of outside use. I never received any complaint concerning this chair or use.The wheelchair service is available to people in East and West Sussex and Brighton and Hove who have a permanent need for a wheelchair.

Wibbles

Alan127 said:

It seems that nobody understands the difference between a scooter to ease getting around mainly for older people and a Powerchair relating directly to lack of mobility through disability! I am now in trouble with keeping a new Powerchair in our flat as it has a charger, which has a Lithium-ion Battery, apparently is a fire hazard!

In Oct 2023, I entered into a Loan Agreement with East Sussex Wheelchair Service for Power Wheelchair, with a large Lithium-ion Battery now returned. The Powerchair was used, charged and stored in our flat for eight months until I terminated the Agreement recently because unfortunately it was not suiting my purpose of outside use. I never received any complaint concerning this chair or use.The wheelchair service is available to people in East and West Sussex and Brighton and Hove who have a permanent need for a wheelchair.

My electric wheelchair was supplied by NHS (for free) - after an assessment from Local Authority.

I do not fit in to your assumptions that older people tend to use Scooters - I had my first scooter when I was 54, due to poor mobility, following a knee replacement op - which did not help my hyper extended tendons.

Both Mobility Scooters and Power Chairs use the same Lithium Ion batteries

Whilst nobody can guarantee that any Li-Io battery is safe - the original (OEM) battery is extremely unlikely to cause any issues (it is cheap replacement batteries that are available from dubious sources that are more risky.......and have caused fires).

Wibbles

JessieJ said:

I hope that gives them a nudge & you hear back quickly, @Wibbles, as it really isn't good enough. Going the way of a PHB will also take time to sort. It is a crazy, unnecessary situation.

Thanks - I heard back from PALS with a date for my assessment on Tuesday !!

Rosie_Scope

That's great @Wibbles! Annoying that you had to nudge them so much to get a result, but hopefully all goes smoothly and you can get out and about to the shops soon!

Wibbles

I am now concerned about the true range of my new chair - according to the manufacturers, it should be 5 - 8 miles - the town centre is 1.5 miles away but no way would I attempt to get there even on a full charge - because I charge it once a week and only do 100 yards per week around the ground floor of the house...yet it loses 2 LED's of charge per week !!

RANGE ANXIETY ??

JessieJ

It's great news @Wibbles, that you now have your assessment date & it is very soon, well done.

Your battery issue could be because it hasn't been used enough to run down the battery to then fully charge it. Something to ask at your assessment, but hopefully, once you get some actual use with it, all will come good.

Wibbles

JessieJ said:

It's great news @Wibbles, that you now have your assessment date & it is very soon, well done.

Your battery issue could be because it hasn't been used enough to run down the battery to then fully charge it. Something to ask at your assessment, but hopefully, once you get some actual use with it, all will come good.

Thanks yes hopefully it will increase the range when given a full cycle? 

Wibbles

My driving assessment has been postponed until Friday !

Wibbles

I had my long awaited wheelchair driving test, a couple of weeks ago and passed with flying colours

However, the range of my wheelchair is causing me concern

To start with - after a full charge, it shows 3 green on the right hand side of the display

I use the chair for 4 days just to  go the 20 yards from my armchair in the living room to the downstairs toilet - about 5 times per day

This has taken the range down to 3 reds!!

I could not trust it to go the 2 miles to town centre - despite being told that its full charge should take me 6-8 miles !!

Could the battery be faulty ?

littleacorn

I have found with my local wheelchairs services that when I get a new chair they sometimes put old batteries in. I would suggest you contact the wheelchair maintainable people and get them to come out and check it.

Wibbles

littleacorn said:

I have found with my local wheelchairs services that when I get a new chair they sometimes put old batteries in. I would suggest you contact the wheelchair maintainable people and get them to come out and check it.

It is a pre- used chair 
I know that