Choosing Your Wheelchair

Making your choice

If you need a wheelchair, you have a range of choices to meet your needs.

A wheelchair assessment will let you know if you are eligible for a ‘personal wheelchair budget’.

Before your assessment, you may need to complete a short questionnaire.  This will help us identify the most appropriate wheelchair for your needs.

If you qualify for a personal wheelchair budget, you can choose from three options:

Option one: standard wheelchair

Your budget will provide a standard NHS wheelchair to meet your needs.  Your wheelchair would be provided and maintained by the NHS at no cost to you.

Option two: making an extra contribution

If you prefer a higher specification wheelchair, or want to add additional features, you can choose to pay for these yourself. Sometimes a voluntary or charitable organisation may be able to contribute.

If you choose additional features, you will need to pay extra towards the wheelchair and the cost of maintenance. With this option, the wheelchair will only be ordered once you have paid your contribution.

Option three: choosing a non-NHS wheelchair

If you prefer, you can put your budget towards the cost of a wheelchair from an independent supplier (outside the NHS).  You would need to discuss this with your wheelchair therapist to ensure it is clinically appropriate.

With this option, the NHS makes a direct payment to the supplier.  If the wheelchair costs more than your total budget, you would need to pay the rest. 

If you choose this option, you would own the wheelchair.  Your wheelchair would not qualify for NHS repairs, so you would need to pay all future maintenance costs.

Other things you should know

• If you choose option two or three, you may have to wait a little longer for your wheelchair.

• If your wheelchair costs less than your budget, the supplier would only receive an amount equal to the cost.

• Your wheelchair is normally expected to last for five years (or for children, three years), and the NHS will not provide a new wheelchair during this time unless your medical condition changes.  We recommend regular maintenance to ensure your wheelchair lasts for the full period.

• We recommend that you take out public liability insurance if you expect to use your wheelchair in public places, particularly for a powered wheelchair.  The personal wheelchair budget does not cover public liability insurance.

• The NHS will provide a pressure relieving cushion if this is clinically appropriate.  This does not affect your personal wheelchair budget.

It’s your choice

Option one

• Standard NHS wheelchair.

• The NHS provides and maintains your wheelchair.

• No cost to you.

Option two

• You pay for the extras you want.

• The NHS provides and maintains your wheelchair.

• You cover the cost of maintaining any extra features.

Option three

• You buy a non-NHS wheelchair.

• Your NHS budget covers part of the cost – you pay for the rest.

• Your wheelchair does not qualify for NHS repairs.

• You will pay all maintenance costs, but a contribution will be included in your budget.

Contact details

Specialist Services Administration Hub

1^st Floor, University Hospital of Hartlepool, TS24 9AH.

Telephone: 01429 522471 (option 4)

Email: [email protected]

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

Patient Experience Team (PET)

We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. The office is based on the ground floor at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please contact:

Telephone: 01642 624719

Freephone: 0800 092 0084

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm

Email: [email protected]

Out of hours

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.

Telephone: 01642 617617

Data protection and use of patient information

The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.

Telephone: 01642 383551

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet feedback

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:

Email: [email protected]