Why can’t you give me a wheelchair?
The wheelchair service uses a set of eligibility criteria to determine when and how equipment can be provided. The eligibility criteria is determined by the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, which is the NHS body responsible for commissioning for the wheelchair service. You can find a copy of the service eligibility criteria in the Referrer and Prescriber Section of this website.
The wheelchair service must follow the eligibility criteria in force at the time of any assessment. The wheelchair service may provide you with different equipment over time, depending on the current eligibility criteria and your clinical needs.
What can I do if I don’t agree?
An appeals process for the eligibility criteria is set out in the criteria document, at section 19.
If you wish to appeal the eligibility criteria, you should first contact the service, who can work with you to help manage the appeal. They will discuss your case with the Integrated Care Board where appropriate. If you are unhappy with the decision, the Integrated Care Board has a separate complaints process.
Will I need to pay for my wheelchair?
If you are not eligible for NHS provision, you may need to fund a wheelchair yourself or search for other sources of funding available to you (this could be funding from a charity, a voluntary organisation, social care, or many other sources). We will support you to source this funding wherever we can.
Can I get a wheelchair somewhere else?
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria, you may be able to borrow one from the British Red Cross. For details, visit their website at www.redcross.org.uk
You may wish to explore third-party retailers which can provide support and information. You can identify suppliers using the BHTA website, which has a list of retailers who meet strict BHTA quality standards. Please visit the BHTA at: www.bhta.com/find-a-supplier