Blog/News

NHS

• Many people who need permanent use of a wheelchair will be eligible for equipment from the NHS. A list of NHS wheelchair services is available online.  This list is frequently changing however, therefore your GP will be able to point you in the direction of your local wheelchair service.  The criteria for receiving NHS equipment varies from service to service.  In general, full time, permanent wheelchair users will always be eligible.  Most NHS wheelchair services require a referral from a health professional (GP, consultant, nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist etc).  They will assess what equipment is needed and prescribe accordingly from a range of equipment available to them. 
• NHS wheelchair service staff are often made up of a mix of occupational therapists, physiotherapists, rehab engineers and clinical scientists. There will also be support staff in administration and clinical roles.

Privately

• Everyone has the option of purchasing their own equipment. Some retailers are members of the British Healthcare Trades Association, however membership is not mandatory.  Retailers will decide with you which is the best equipment for you to purchase, based on your wheelchair needs, and your budget.  Some will employ occupational therapists or physiotherapists to provide a more clinical approach.  Some retailers will have a limited range of wheelchairs, focusing more on other equipment such as beds or riser-recliners.  Speak to them to determine if they can support your wheelchair needs.
• Having a clinical assessment prior to purchasing a wheelchair can also be useful. This ensures all needs, future and present, of the user are taken into account prior to purchasing equipment.  A clinical assessment will involve evaluation of posture, pressure relief, technical assessment of any current equipment and the environment any equipment will be used in.  The clinician, normally and occupational therapist or physiotherapist will make recommendations for adjustment or additions to the existing wheelchair or will work with the user to determine the best wheelchair for them to purchase.

Finance

• Some retailers will offer finance, enabling the wheelchair to be paid in monthly instalments over a period of time.

Charity

• Charity funding can be available to some wheelchair users. Many charities will have specific requirements or conditions that need to be met, before they support the purchase of a wheelchair.  Most will only support the purchase of equipment that cannot be funded through a NHS wheelchair service.

Motability

• The Motability scheme enables specific disability benefits to fund the lease of a powerchair. Motability has agreements with specific wheelchair retailers to provide the equipment.  The leases are typically 3 years and include repairs and maintenance. 

Access to Work

• The employer of people with a disability is legally obliged to make reasonable adjustments to ensure you they not substantially disadvantaged when doing their job. If the help you need they work is not covered by their employer making reasonable adjustments, they may be able to get help from Access to Work.
• They need to have a paid job or be about to start or return to one.
• An Access to Work grant can pay for special equipment, adaptations or services to help do things like answer the phone, go to meetings and getting to and from work.
• They may not get a grant if they already get certain benefits

• Bariatric wheelchairs can simply be larger versions of standard wheelchairs; however some models can be more specific to heavier users. They can have additional, strengthening framework added to increase the durability and enable greater maximum user weights to be achieved.  Parts with greater strength can also be fitted, such as wheels, backrest, footrests, upholstery and brakes. 

Testimonial for Silver Fern Therapy:

I found John, from Silver Fern therapy, to have an excellent understanding of my needs after I recently had an assessment with him. The process of assessment was detailed, including looking at my posture out of my wheelchair to see where I needed to be supported. I trialled some seating solutions at his suggestion and my seated position was much improved and I think it will make a positive difference to my long-term health and pain levels. John then wrote a very comprehensive report for me with images to help in explanation. I would recommend Silver Fern Therapy to wheelchair users who need an independent opinion to navigate the myriad of options that are available.

KD, Cardiff

• Tilt in space wheelchairs can often be fitted with many of the options that other wheelchairs use, however there are some features used more on tilt in space wheelchairs than others.
• Lateral supports are used to control the position of a user’s spine. They are fitted to the backrest and provide support to the outside of the rib cage.  They can have the effect of preventing a user leaning to the side or can even straighten a scoliosis. 
• Elevating legrests are often fitted to control swelling of the legs, however simply elevating the legs achieves very little improvement - the legs continue to remain the lowest part of the body for fluid to accumulate. Combined with tilt in space and recline however, the legs can be raised high enough to encourage a reduction in swelling.  This can be an uncomfortable position, therefore many users will opt to transfer to their bed, where they can comfortably raise their legs whilst lying down.  
• Headrests allow the head to be supported, especially when using tilt in space or recline. In both positions, the users head is likely to fall backward with gravity, therefore it is important to support it in a comfortable position.
• Headrests also provide some safety when travelling in a vehicle whilst seated in the wheelchair, in a similar way the headrest of a standard car seat would do. It is important to note that a wheelchair headrest is not tested to the same criteria as a car seat headrest would.
• Some users require additional head support to maintain an upright head position, or to maintain their head in a comfortable position. Additional supports and shaping can be added to tailor the support offered by the headrest.

• Standard wheels tend to come with few options, however there are several things to consider.
  • Every wheelchair should have a cushion.  A very basic cushion should be considered a minimum to provide some comfort and pressure relief. 
  • Seat size. Ensure an appropriate seat size.  There shouldn't be much space between the user's hips and the sides or armrests of the wheelchair.  There should be 1-2" space between the back of their knee and the front of the cushion.
  • Backrest height. The backrest should be sufficiently high to prevent the user leaning backwards over the top of the backrest upholstery.
  • Anti-tips. These are two small wheels that protrude close to the ground from the back of the wheelchair.  They prevent the wheelchair tipping over backwards.  This is especially important if the wheelchair is to be used on slopes or if there is any other reason why the wheelchair should be more unstable than normal, such as leg amputees.
  • Headrests allow the head to be supported, especially when using backrest recline. When reclined, the users head is likely to fall backward with gravity, therefore it is important to support it in a comfortable position.
  • Headrests also provide some safety when travelling in a vehicle whilst seated in the wheelchair, in a similar way the headrest of a standard car seat would do. It is important to note that a wheelchair headrest is not tested to the same criteria as a car seat headrest would.
  • Some users require additional head support to maintain an upright head position, or to maintain their head in a comfortable position. Additional supports and shaping can be added to tailor the support offered by the headrest.