No longer entitled to NHS wheelchair as in a care home?

perfect10

Does anyone have any advice.
my mum has left side paralysis, can’t walk, can’t stand etc and has had an NHS wheelchair for the last 10 years. This chair was measured for her and adapted.  She has since had to move to a care home as my dad passed away and she is unable to look after herself. 

Her wheelchair broke last week and the wheelchair service took it away and left her with nothing. She is now stuck in her room. The service said she will not be eligible for another as she is in a care home and it is the care home responsibility to provide all ‘moving and handling’ Equipment?!

The wheelchair has been my mums legs for the last 10 years and this is like having her legs removed.
it is not a piece of moving and handling equipment this is her full mobility and life. 

She cannot use a standard transit chair as she can’t hold herself upright and needs a pressure cushion, her left leg doesn’t bend so she needs an adapted footplate. This is not a standard piece of equipment.
A transit chair is something that could be used by anyone and would not be for her sole use,they are used to transfer people from bed to chair etc and that’s it. The home tried one and she nearly fell out so now can’t leave her room.
My mum is very young minded, likes to go out shopping, loves playing with great grandchildren in the garden, going out for lunch etc. she also manages all appts like eye tests, dentists etc and uses public transport to get around (with someone to push -usually me!), joins in with all care home activities like exercises, quizzes etc
without her chair she can no longer do any of the above and I can’t visit her as visits are in an outside pod and there is no way to get her there. Her quality of life has reduced to zero. She can’t shower, use a toilet, eat sat at a table etc as can’t use a transit chair.
after much argument she now has an NHS wheelchair assessment next week, we have to have an ambulance to get her there. They have told me already that she won’t be eligible and think they agreed to shut me up, so wondered if anyone had come across this and can advise?
I am horrified that the NHS think this is acceptable that once you are in a care home  all you are entitled to is a substandard device that just moves you to a static chair and back.
I am waiting to speak to social care and have details for the health commissioning manager.

tacpot12

The eligibility criteria for an NHS Wheelchair will be set by the local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) that covers your mother's care. You could try asking the CCG for a copy of the eligibility critieria, and then use this to challenge the Wheelchair Service that is assessing your mother for a wheelchair if they claim that she is not eligible. You might also complain to the  CCG. 

Does your mother receive the PIP mobility component?
 

perfect10

tacpot12 said:

The eligibility criteria for an NHS Wheelchair will be set by the local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) that covers your mother's care. You could try asking the CCG for a copy of the eligibility critieria, and then use this to challenge the Wheelchair Service that is assessing your mother for a wheelchair if they claim that she is not eligible. You might also complain to the  CCG. 

Does your mother receive the PIP mobility component?
 

I have got the eligibility criteria and I think she meets it but they are adamant she doesn’t. I will take it higher to CCG manager if she is turned down at assessment.
my mum got attendance allowance higher rate but no longer entitled since she became funded through social care but this is something I can mention at the assessment as she qualified for higher rate.
thanks

elsien

In the meantime I also think you have a case for your mother to have visits in her room if she’s not able to get out of it.
The guidance specifically references visits taking place where the person is most comfortable, including in their own room. 

Some care homes argue that if they make an exception for one they have to do it for everyone but that’s incorrect and CQC are very clear that blanket rules should not be applied. Residents should have individual risk assessments which take into account their specific emotional needs as well as any physical risks.
You could also look at becoming the essential care giver for your mother’s psychological and emotional well-being. 

Updated guidance here.  

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visiting-care-homes-during-coronavirus

elsien

Also to add, are you aware of personal wheelchair budgets? I don’t know a lot about them, but a quick read says the following in the FAQ.

The personal wheelchair budget model has been developed to include people who are referred and meet the eligibility criteria of their local wheelchair service, and receive a face to face assessment with a clinician. People who are already registered with the wheelchair service will be eligible when they require a new wheelchair, either through a change in clinical needs or in the condition of their current chair.

Local eligibility criteria for wheelchairs still apply, which CCGs are responsible for and are based on local population needs. Details of local CCGs can be found on the NHS website

https://www.england.nhs.uk/personal-health-budgets/personal-wheelchair-budgets/

Scotch_Bonnet_

But wheelchair is a mobility aid, not moving and handling equipment.
The moving and handling equipment is for getting her into mobility equipment and is for eg stand aid, hoist, sling.
Moving and handling equipment is under the jurisdiction of the Occupational Therapist, and Wheelchairs are under the wheelchair service. They are fobbing you off. It has nothing to do with being in a care home, it is based on an individuals mobility need.

perfect10

Scotch_Bonnet_ said:

But wheelchair is a mobility aid, not moving and handling equipment.
The moving and handling equipment is for getting her into mobility equipment and is for eg stand aid, hoist, sling.
Moving and handling equipment is under the jurisdiction of the Occupational Therapist, and Wheelchairs are under the wheelchair service. They are fobbing you off. It has nothing to do with being in a care home, it is based on an individuals mobility need.

This is exactly what I have argued with them! She needs a wheelchair for mobility not just to transfer her into a static chair. If they deem her not eligible then she will never be able to leave that building again or even go outside in the garden. Even prisoners get to enjoy some fresh air! How has this country come to neglect care home residents so much, it makes me so sad😞 

perfect10

elsien said:

In the meantime I also think you have a case for your mother to have visits in her room if she’s not able to get out of it.
The guidance specifically references visits taking place where the person is most comfortable, including in their own room. 

Some care homes argue that if they make an exception for one they have to do it for everyone but that’s incorrect and CQC are very clear that blanket rules should not be applied. Residents should have individual risk assessments which take into account their specific emotional needs as well as any physical risks.
You could also look at becoming the essential care giver for your mother’s psychological and emotional well-being. 

Updated guidance here.  

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/visiting-care-homes-during-coronavirus

Have looked into this and the care home may allow one nominated family member, this means she can’t see other family members - children, grandchildren, great grandchildren or close friends and although she is tech savvy she is fairly deaf so can’t cope with Skype etc as can’t hear what people are saying this way and it just frustrates and upsets her.
we had a Christmas meal booked at a local pub so she could see everyone but we now have no way to get her there, she’s so upset.

wilfred30

If you don't have any luck with the NHS, would it be possible for family members to club together to buy her one?

perfect10

wilfred30 said:

If you don't have any luck with the NHS, would it be possible for family members to club together to buy her one?

She can’t use an off the shelf wheelchair, it would need adaptations to ensure safety, posture etc so would possibly be expensive. Otherwise I would have just bought one. 

 If she requires a specialist wheelchair this should be provided on the NHS as it is not standard moving and handling equipment. I just don’t know how to get this across to the wheelchair service as they maintain she won’t be eligible.
in one conversation they said they only provide them to people who can’t walk - she can’t walk
they then said that she doesn’t need to, she just needs a static chair as she is in a care home!

wolfehouse

Have a look at these guidelines.  

https://www.rcot.co.uk/file/3680/download?token=d2LfcxuU

As far as I am aware the nhs should be providing her equipment needs as a loan until the nursing home purchases (in a t8mely manner).  Not sure about wheelchairs but that is how it works for beds and chairs in my experience.