All too often, the wheelchairs given out by the NHS are too heavy to be used effectively, or simply aren’t up to scratch and fail to meet the user’s needs. The result is that they actually prevent people from getting on with their lives. It is no surprise that nearly 60% of grants given via Aspire’s Human Needs Fund for the last financial year were for wheelchairs or wheelchair accessories.

Research shows that it ultimately costs the taxpayer more when people have an inadequate wheelchair. The right wheelchair, although often more expensive to purchase, is so much more cost effective for a number of reasons. Readmissions due to complications from ill-suited wheelchairs, including long-term shoulder damage from making do with a heavy wheelchair, are incredibly expensive. And obviously, if someone is denied their independence by their wheelchair then they are unlikely to get back into an active role in society, increasing their dependence on care and benefits. Despite this, the focus when it comes to wheelchair provision is generally geared towards the short term and on making immediate savings. A more common sense approach would benefit everyone.

The All Party Parliamentary Groups for Limb Loss, Spinal Cord Injury and Muscular Dystrophy developed a Patients’ Charter on Wheelchair & Special Seating Services. Aspire submitted thoughts and recommendations for the paper - read Aspire's response here.