This usually includes a 3 – 5 year maintenance agreement. The chair belongs to the NHS and they’re responsible for insurance, maintenance and repairs.

This is likely to be due to the regional criteria and what funding’s been allocated to wheelchair funding.

If seat elevation or other functions have been refused, joint funding may be possible in some areas:

• Via education – for someone up to age 25 years at college or university, so that they can properly access educational and social opportunities.
• Via Access to Work (see Tab 3 Access to Work >)
• Via charitable funding  – such as SMA UK’s SMArt Moves >.

Your OT / physio or neuromuscular care advisor should be able to advise how you can try to pursue these possibilities.

If you remain unhappy about a decision, though it’s difficult, this can be challenged under NHS legislation and Human Rights and Disability Discrimination Law. Your OT or physio should be able to advise you if this has been done in your area. They should tell you where and how to appeal if you wish and support you to do so. In England this would be to your local Integrated Care Board.

Personal Wheelchair Budgets > are possible in England. You can use this towards the cost of buying any wheelchair of your choice.

With a personal wheelchair budget, you would expect to have had:

• a personalised assessment. You’re supported to identify the health and well being outcomes you wish to achieve
• a care plan. This captures any health and well being outcomes identified These may be part of any wider care plans you need for your care
• care that’s better integrated. Different agencies working together to support your postural and mobility needs and achieve your health and well being outcomes
• information provided upfront about the amount of money in your personal wheelchair budget and the local options to use it
• information about the repair and maintenance of wheelchairs a wheelchair is bought that is not from an NHS commissioned service.

Further FAQs about Personal Wheelchair Budgets >

Wheelchair Services must give a clear reason, in writing, which you can then discuss with your OT or physio.

If it’s due to the regional criteria and what funding’s been allocated in your area, though it is difficult, this can be challenged under NHS legislation and Human Rights and Disability Discrimination Law. Your OT or physio should be able to advise you if this has been done in your area. They can tell you where and how to appeal if you wish and support you to do so. In England this would be to your local Integrated Care Board.