Personal Wheelchair budget - how much ?

Wibbles
Wibbles Online Community Member Posts: 2,576 Championing
edited September 2024 in Everyday life

I have had an electric wheelchair from my local NHS team for 6 months now and am totally unimpressed with the support that I get.

I have had to call them out twice during this time and each time - they take at least 2 days to even respond - and then at least a week to actually come out and fix the problem.

Both times - luckily, the chair still worked - the first time, the battery needed replacing (it wouldn't hold a charge for more than 2 days), the second time, the display was flashing.

Luckily - the chair still worked but I am totally dependent on a working chair and if it was not working, I would be in trouble !!

I was wondering how much a Personal Wheelchair budget paid to allows me to source my own wheelchair and pay for "proper support" - any ideas ?

Comments

  • Needhelpandadvice
    Needhelpandadvice Posts: 80 Empowering

    @Wibbles You are looking at £600 upwards, 3 and a half grand for a more expensive one, and that is second hand.

    Sadly, their is no specific price so it would be up to you how much you would spend on one.

    Hope this helps.

  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Online Community Member Posts: 2,576 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/912767#Comment_912767

    Sorry you have misunderstood my question

    I already have an NHS Electric chair (cost about £5000) - which I am unhappy with the support for

    I am thinking of asking for a Personal Wheelchair budget and am wondering how much they give you ?

  • Debi1160
    Debi1160 Online Community Member Posts: 9 Connected

    Hi, I bought my own electric wheelchair as I needed it pretty quickly and couldn't hang around waiting for assessment by the NHS.

    I bought a Livewell Instafold portable electric wheelchair. It is brilliant, folds up like a pushchair and fits into the boot of my car with room to spare. I use it at work and whenever I go anywhere away from home and it does the job nicely. I even take it on holidays abroad with me.

    It cost me £791.00 directly from Livewell website. And because of my disability I didn't need to pay VAT. It came within 3 days.

    It has changed my life and allows me to function outside my home without having to put on my family. I have had it for 2 years now and have had no problems at all.

    Hope this helps? Have a look on Livewell as they had loads available to suit all needs.

  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Online Community Member Posts: 2,576 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/912909#Comment_912909

    And your got your money back from NHS I assume?

  • Debi1160
    Debi1160 Online Community Member Posts: 9 Connected

    I didn't bother trying to claim it back. I bought it out of my PIP.

    I don't know if you can claim the money back if you purchase your own. But I work full-time time so they would undoubtedly tell me I am not eligible anyway.

  • egister
    egister Posts: 987 Pioneering
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/912772#Comment_912772

    You need to find out which budget allocates NHS to serve your wheelchair. In general, this is not difficult, and an electrician of the car may well repair it.

  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Online Community Member Posts: 2,576 Championing
    edited September 2024
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/913059#Comment_913059

    You are now suggesting that I somehow take my NHS supplied wheelchair to my local car dealers for a fix - which is nothing to do with cars...and is the responsibility of NHS...... Please stop making stupid, incorrect and potentially dangerous suggestions about things that you clearly have no knowledge about.

  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Online Community Member Posts: 2,576 Championing
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/912939#Comment_912939

    No -wheelchairs are supplied by NHS on a needs basis - not financial - so savings/income are irrelevant - it could be worth you applying for a wheelchair budget and claiming the expense back - I would !!

  • Debi1160
    Debi1160 Online Community Member Posts: 9 Connected

    Thanks Wibbles, didn't think I would be eligible.

    Will definitely have a look into it 👍

  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Online Community Member Posts: 2,576 Championing

    You may need a care needs assessment first from council/NHS - Which is a bit of a faff - but if it means that your money is repaid, its worth it….

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