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Thanks John for making this part of getting new chair so easy. I love it - it's so whizzy! Going up Lane was much easier.

Choosing the right wheelchair for your child can be tough, as there are a million wheelchairs for kids available and each manufacturer is going to tell you that their model is the best. What makes this even more difficult is that one wheelchair isn’t going to be ideal in all situations. A wheelchair may be great for getting around a classroom, but that same chair won’t be ideal for negotiating a muddy sports field or the soft sand at the beach.

This article will give you an idea on what options are available and their various benefits and drawbacks. Its not meant to provide a pathway for you to go out and seek the perfect wheelchair for your child, more to give you a better understanding of the wheelchair market and allow you to make better, more informed choices.  You’ll also be able to ask more questions of the person prescribing the wheelchair, whether that be the NHS wheelchair service or a retailer. 

Wheelchair servicing is the process of keeping your wheelchair functioning properly. Sometimes called wheelchair maintenance, this process may involve cleaning and/or repairs. Wheelchair servicing may be included in after-sales support if you purchased your wheelchair privately, and is always available for NHS wheelchairs. Read on to learn more about wheelchair servicing and what options may be available to you.

What wheelchair servicing will I receive for my wheelchair?

NHS

• Equipment from the NHS is maintained and repaired at no cost to the user. If the user changes in any way where different equipment may be required, they can be re-assessed.

Privately

• Every wheelchair will come with a manufacturer's warranty. The length of this warranty period will between manufacturers and even between different parts of one wheelchair. Explanation of the warranty periods should form part of the buying process. The manufacturer's warranty covers parts but does not cover the time taken by the retailer to replace the parts. Ensure the sales agreement stipulates who is responsible for the cost of the time to fit parts covered by the manufacturer's warranty.
• There are also service packages available from most retailers. These are agreements to replace, repair or fix problems with the wheelchair and can include accidental damage. They are normally underwritten by an insurance company. 
• Breakdown insurance cover is also available. This can also include public liability insurance, which provides cover for accidental damage to someone or something else.

How long should a wheelchair last with wheelchair servicing?”

The frequency and quality of your wheelchair servicing may impact how long your wheelchair lasts. Properly maintained wheelchairs should last longer than a wheelchair that is misused or poorly maintained. This varies a lot and depends entirely on how the wheelchair is used and in what conditions. Expect to use the wheelchair for three to five years before it needs replacing, but it may last a lot longer if it is not often used or used well within its physical limits. The frequency and quality of your wheelchair servicing may impact how long your wheelchair lasts. Properly maintained wheelchairs should last longer than a wheelchair that is misused or poorly maintained.

How long does it take to get a wheelchair?

• Very basic wheelchairs will be available for immediate purchase from a retailer, or immediate issue from an NHS wheelchair service. More complex wheelchairs will take much longer and require several appointments before an order is made.  For complex equipment, it is essential to trial equipment prior to purchase to ensure it works as expected and meets the requirements of the user.  There can sometimes be a delay of several weeks waiting for demonstration equipment to be delivered from a manufacturer.
• Once a wheelchair is ordered it can take up to 12 weeks for it to be delivered. This depends greatly on the manufacturer and the complexity of the equipment being ordered. Some equipment can be delivered in a few days.

Wheelchair services from Silver Fern Therapy

If you have had your wheelchair serviced and it is still not functioning the way you would like, then wheelchair servicing may not be the issue. At this point, you might want to consider a new wheelchair prescription. Contact Silver Fern Therapy to discuss your options.

• 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. 

• 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.