Wheelchairs

saving_pennies

Sorry for the delay in updating the thread. I find that when I start something like this it tends to fall to one side as soon as I have a bad day. I've had a few of them lately and had the 'joy' (or rather frustration) of ambulances and hospitals last weekend. It is depressing when I see how I am today compared to this time last year

Today I got a call from the NHS wheelchair services as my GP had left a couple details of the application form, mainly what sort of chair I needed (manual or powered). I explained my situation and that I wouldn't be able to propel myself in a manual chair. She offered a chair that someone could push me in but I said I'd prefer a powered one. She asked how long each day I would use the chair: either under 3 hours, between 3 and 6 hours, or over 6 hours. That was difficult to answer so I opted for the middle one. But then a support worker said I need to consider my long term needs and it may be that in the future I can manage more than 6 hours. One aim of the chair is to increase my independence and if I am using less energy and am not in as much pain then maybe I can do more. I'm not sure whether to contact the NHS again or wait until they contact me. The lady that called me today is passing the application form onto the assessors to see if I meet criteria. I'm not sure if this means they assess me based on the information on the form or if they actually meet me to assess my needs. She did say there is a long wait for a powered chair

In the mean time I have been looking around, and I do agree, it is definitely worth visiting a motability shop etc as I had my eye on a relatively cheap power chair but when I saw it in the shop it was not as comfortable as it looked.

Cost is a problem. I am currently living in my overdraft. Although I get all the benefits I am entitled too, I had many expenses to meet last summer which meant I went overdrawn. I approached a couple chairities who help with funding wheelchairs but they will not even concern helping me until I have an assessment by the NHS wheelchair services.

Well that's all for now, I'm about to watch tv assuming I can stay awake!

saving_pennies

Hello,

I just got a call from a OT with the NHS wheelchair services. She is coming to see me at home for a 'long' chat and to measure my home. She said she'd prefer to see me after my carers have left (they get me up in the morning) as she has to ask me lots of questions. Anyone had experience of this or know what the 'long' chat involves?

saving_pennies

Had my wheelchair assessment today. The lady said I don't meet criteria for power chair but can have self propelled one. She said it's unusual to go from crutches to power chair without having manual chair first. I explaind I will not be able to propel myself as this will create great pain and worsen my back/spine problems, but she said I can not be considered for power chair until I had manual one.

I saw my gp this afternoon who has concerns about me using a manual chair due to my health condition and asked how long after getting the manual chair will I be able to be considered for power one. I didn't know the answer.

I asked the wheelchair lady whether it would be a waste of time and money to get a manual chair specifically made for me. the cost compared to a power chair is much less but what use is it if I cant use it alone? I would need to be pushed by carer which defeats object of increasing my independence. She just said that is the system and her manager wouldn't agree to power chair if I never used wheelchair before.

I am frustrated with how the system works The assessment didn't look at my movements or how much I can pick up or push, so how do they know I could self propel a wheelchair which apparently is 2 stones in weight plus my own body weight (I won't be able too, I cant even carry the weight of a shopping bag!)

I might call the service tomorrow to ask if they have a chair I can do a test run in, so they can see that I won't be able to self propel without great pain and worsening of my health.

Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful for the wheelchair service input and willingness to cover cost of a chair. Just I want to be able to use it and not have it go to waste.

Anyone had similar experiences?

wolfehouse

i hear your frustration
personally if it were me i would be asking to see the policy and procedures for the wheelchair service
and ask them to show me where it says that.

at the moment each areas service appears to be a bit different
i know that in scotland there is a government consultation out at the moment
to standardize things acoss scotland. and the criteria will be in the public domain.

you can also try your local mp if you feel you need to. amazing what gets done when politicians start to ask questions.

saving_pennies

Thanks wolfehouse. I tried calling yesterday but no one was avaliable to talk to me.

I googled policies and found two from different areas, both said a power chair can be prescribed if the user can not self propel. I can't find a policy online for my local service.

I spoke to a friend last night about my frustrations and she told me her sister, who has MS, has just got a new powerchair but she can't use it as it doesn't fit through the doors in her house. So a very expensive chair is of no use to her as they didn't ensure it would fit through her doors.

I really struggle to understand the logic behind them wasting money on equipment that cant be used by the patient.

I will call again Monday. I don't want to sound like I am complaining so think I will try and sort it out myself before involving anyone with more power, i.e. MP. Surely if they spoke to my GP they would understand more fully my limitations and realise my disability means I can't self propel and attempting to would make my condition worse.

saving_pennies

Thought I'd give an update.

I requested their policy and responded to them explaining how I thought I meet the criteria. I requested a phone call but didn't get one, instead on Friday I got an email stating that I can only have a manual chair. I had spoken with the local MP office and they suggest I get the manual chair and then meet with MP who can then help me approach the service about how the equipment provided doesn't meet my need.

Once I have the chair they will be able to see with their own eyes that I can't use it, as I have stated several times verbally and in writing and also with support from the MP and my GP, hopefully they will reassess me. In the meantime, at least with the manual chair, my carer can push me into the other room during the day time rather than me laying in bed all day.

sunnyone

saving_pennies wrote: »

Thought I'd give an update.

I requested their policy and responded to them explaining how I thought I meet the criteria. I requested a phone call but didn't get one, instead on Friday I got an email stating that I can only have a manual chair. I had spoken with the local MP office and they suggest I get the manual chair and then meet with MP who can then help me approach the service about how the equipment provided doesn't meet my need.

Once I have the chair they will be able to see with their own eyes that I can't use it, as I have stated several times verbally and in writing and also with support from the MP and my GP, hopefully they will reassess me. In the meantime, at least with the manual chair, my carer can push me into the other room during the day time rather than me laying in bed all day.

you should always take a manual because once you have it you are a wheelchair service user who has the right to contact them with all the problems with the manual chair.

Powerchairs are the answer to everything mind, but they do give a bit more independance in some cercumstances.

GlasweJen

I've no experience of using one but do you think they'd fund a power pack for the manual wheelchair?

sunnyone

GlasweJen wrote: »

I've no experience of using one but do you think they'd fund a power pack for the manual wheelchair?

Never in England but you dont live in England, you cant add one yo an NHS chair either.

GlasweJen

that's a bit rubbish then, you'd think that would be the acceptable compromise?

I have an online friend (never met her) who is also on the transplant list and she mentions having a chair that other people push for her (she's on the acute list, very weak) but there is a power pack on it as well for short trips and to use in the house, she's in wales so it can't be an nhs chair that she's using.