‘Get Moving’ report says wheelchair waiting time is too long

The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s ‘Get Moving’ report has revealed that many people with sever muscle-wasting conditions are waiting too long for their wheelchairs.

The key points from the report are:

• 70% of patients wait more than three months, 30% wait six months, and 15% wait more than a year for a specialist type of wheelchair.
• Half of NHS patients do not receive full funding for specialised chairs, with families struggling to cover the costs which can amount to thousands.

• There is a long waiting list for repairs, and more than 30% have to self-fund upkeep of wheelchairs.
• Patients given unsuitable wheelchairs due to lack of understanding in NHS. Around 30% forced to use unsuitable wheelchairs.

• ‘Get Moving’ concerned Occupational Therapists do not consider changing needs of individuals.