16 replies to this topic

[Bish]

Hi guys,

I am due for renewal of my NHS voucher thingy - but with the current climate of money saving and cut backs what is my entitlement?

I am paraplegic and my current chair (TiLite ZR) was bought from the USA and was funded by the voucher scheme and my own contribution. The chair is in reasonable nick to be honest, the backrest is warn through (where I put my rucksack - the weight has torn the material), one of the frog legs makes a bit of noise and the rubber soaks up a stack of water, the brakes need changing (but not essential just yet) - so all in all just minor issues.

My question: Does the Wheelchair service HAVE to provide me with a newer chair/voucher or will they only do so if my present wheelchair is totally unsuitable for me/not meeting my clinical needs?

I meet them on Friday 3rd June so would like to be armed with the right info before that meeting.

Thanks guys,
Rob

[Zammo]

I'm interested in this question too.
I've had my chair for 5 years. It still works but it's pretty crappy now.

[jp2417]

Another option would be to get your current chair refurbished or customised. Your current chair could be better than new for a lot less money. Visit www.sport-mobility.co.uk and look at our services.
Regards,
Paul
Sport-Mobility

[Bish]

jp2417, on 25 May 2011 - 04:45 PM, said:

Another option would be to get your current chair refurbished or customised. Your current chair could be better than new for a lot less money. Visit www.sport-mobility.co.uk and look at our services.
Regards,
Paul
Sport-Mobility

Why refurbish when I could potentially get a spanking brand new one off the NHS? I know you are trying to drum up business for yourself, but Id prefer people to reply that can help answer my question and not reply to build up their bank balance.

[jp2417]

Rob,
Just for the record my business is about helping our wheelchair community afford and realise their dreams in terms of a better wheelchair and style of life. It is certainly not about the bank balance, thank you! I could be one of the many dealers selling overpriced wheelchairs to the public and then it would be about the money. I am providing a service that helps many people, some of whom are not entitled to the NHS voucher scheme.
All I was highlighting is that there is never a day when a wheelchair has had its day, it merely needs a bit of love and attention and can be more to the users specification than any new chair may be.
I hope that you do get a new chair for yourself through the system, but please do not speak negatively of a business that you know nothing about and the work it does to keep the disabled community on the move.
Paul

[Lucydog]

The main problem is there is so much variation in the scheme from region to region. If Im right I dont think the HAVE to give you a new chair but I might be wrong.They only have to make sure your chair is safe and fit for purpose. However as your chair is your own you are totally responsible for it, so if they deem its still ok they might not be too generous. My chair is technically NHS even though its a kuschall airlite, so its fully maintained, but it seems that Horthumberland are more generous than some. Sorry I cant be more definate.

[russ1]

The general rule seems to be the voucher lasts for 5 years, if it was 5 years ago they'll give you another if not unless your needs have significantly changed no chance..

[Bish]

jp2417, on 25 May 2011 - 05:22 PM, said:

Rob,
Just for the record my business is about helping our wheelchair community afford and realise their dreams in terms of a better wheelchair and style of life. It is certainly not about the bank balance, thank you! I could be one of the many dealers selling overpriced wheelchairs to the public and then it would be about the money. I am providing a service that helps many people, some of whom are not entitled to the NHS voucher scheme.
All I was highlighting is that there is never a day when a wheelchair has had its day, it merely needs a bit of love and attention and can be more to the users specification than any new chair may be.
I hope that you do get a new chair for yourself through the system, but please do not speak negatively of a business that you know nothing about and the work it does to keep the disabled community on the move.
Paul

Paul,

I am pleased that you are offering a wonderful service to those that need it, but my question was about getting a wheelchair from the NHS - and not from a 3rd party business. As for speaking negatively about "a business I know nothing about" - it was not the business I was negative towards, it was you hijacking the thread to shoehorn your companys details in when clearly it had nothing to do with this post.

I am sure you do wonderful things and your prices are dirt cheap and good for you.
Regards,
Rob

[jsh2k7]

From having a disability since birth, and finally giving in to using a chair, i recently went through wheelchair services, all i got offered was a Remploy dash4life - I argued saying it was way to heavy and not practical - Then got reassessed based on a Quickie RSX again not pratical due to being unable to unfold it, but they would not budge at all.


Hopefully if you go in with your Ti-Lite, they will give you something similar (I could have had a Kucshall K4 - but as i can walk abit still, and i have problems with my spine, they said the rigid frames are not suitable)..

You've just gotta push them as far as you can.

[megatrig]

hmmmmmm .. D'oh ... only just caught this thread!!

Post Code lottery!

Would you be going to Wheelchair Services at Leamington Spa??

(my "helpfull voucher providers!!!)

It used to be £350 - Manual Chair - approx
£6-900 - Powet Chair - approx

I have heard that they can now provide a quickie!! FINALLY!!!

I think our area is one of the worst in the UK!!!

I was chatting to a friend a few years ago and she got a new Kucshal as I recall.

I intend to approach them soon as I want/need some emotion wheels and I think they now provide them. Watch this space!!

[greybeard]

The wheelchair service guy I saw in East Dorset said they only provided chairs for indoor use, and took no account of the patients needs when it came to outdoor activity. I was amazed, but he was deadly serious. I was given an Invacare clunker but I returned it. I gave up with them in the end and bought privately (without a voucher, which wasn't offered). They did recently give me a thicker foam cushion when I told them my bum was getting numb.

It seems that post code lottery is right.

[pinkcloud]

megatrig, on 16 August 2011 - 02:30 PM, said:

hmmmmmm .. D'oh ... only just caught this thread!!

Post Code lottery!

Would you be going to Wheelchair Services at Leamington Spa??

(my "helpfull voucher providers!!!)

It used to be £350 - Manual Chair - approx
£6-900 - Powet Chair - approx

I have heard that they can now provide a quickie!! FINALLY!!!

I think our area is one of the worst in the UK!!!

I was chatting to a friend a few years ago and she got a new Kucshal as I recall.

I intend to approach them soon as I want/need some emotion wheels and I think they now provide them. Watch this space!!

what £600 - £900 poxy f***king pounds......and what the feck am i meant to buy with this exactly? Something made from the skip made with 1970s pram wheels and a 1920's tractors bucket seat

Great...the other option is paying more a week....on a powerchair..than it pays to have a new Golf car?

Excellent..###### housebound it is until someones in to get me scooter out (ok i cant go far anyway but at least i get out alone and not have to rely on others just for a short time) until i save up enough then, cheers for letting us know.....by the time i paid taxi's etc i may as well not get the voucher.....this is pants just wait until someone dares to look down at me being pushed in me chair that cost me more than one of me old cars....I is gonna think yeah.....better than a ###### nhs voucher chair...no ones gonna put me off loving me wheels
maybe if i had to put petrol in it, tax and mot it...I'd be giving something back to the government and insurance companies then..i'd fecking get a bigger budjet

[sherbs]

Pinkcloud

Its awful, isn't it, As i am not a full time wheelchair user, i had to buy my own chair, my lovely sis helped me to buy it, they cost thousands,

I'm using it more and more now, but still not eligible for any help from nhs scheme, it stinks!!

Saved up to buy my wheelchair, little by little, then my sis matched what i had saved, god bless her, scuppered without her, and dont forget we have all paid out taxes, and Ni contributions and still do, ( and I work for the bloomin nhs) but i couldn't get anywhere when inquired about any help

He ho,

sherbs xx

[Trinity]

pinkcloud, on 20 August 2011 - 08:39 PM, said:

megatrig, on 16 August 2011 - 02:30 PM, said:

hmmmmmm .. D'oh ... only just caught this thread!!

Post Code lottery!

Would you be going to Wheelchair Services at Leamington Spa??

(my "helpfull voucher providers!!!)

It used to be £350 - Manual Chair - approx
£6-900 - Powet Chair - approx

I have heard that they can now provide a quickie!! FINALLY!!!

I think our area is one of the worst in the UK!!!

I was chatting to a friend a few years ago and she got a new Kucshal as I recall.

I intend to approach them soon as I want/need some emotion wheels and I think they now provide them. Watch this space!!

what £600 - £900 poxy f***king pounds......and what the feck am i meant to buy with this exactly? Something made from the skip made with 1970s pram wheels and a 1920's tractors bucket seat

Great...the other option is paying more a week....on a powerchair..than it pays to have a new Golf car?

Excellent..###### housebound it is until someones in to get me scooter out (ok i cant go far anyway but at least i get out alone and not have to rely on others just for a short time) until i save up enough then, cheers for letting us know.....by the time i paid taxi's etc i may as well not get the voucher.....this is pants just wait until someone dares to look down at me being pushed in me chair that cost me more than one of me old cars....I is gonna think yeah.....better than a ###### nhs voucher chair...no ones gonna put me off loving me wheels
maybe if i had to put petrol in it, tax and mot it...I'd be giving something back to the government and insurance companies then..i'd fecking get a bigger budjet

This is for the voucher scheme though, nothing stopping you accepting which ever chair they are offering you for free, yes you don't get to chose your own chair but it won't cost you anything and they pay for all the servicing and upkeep.

[pinkcloud]

oooooo Trinity thank you....all aint lost

i aint shy..i'd do an nhs chair...after all i aint got the job to afford to drive a mercedes...so i dont have one. I be grateful for it....after all....a chairs a chair to ab people....the majority of people around here are ab....as long as it gets me out i really dont care. I may be t-spine yet got arm strength of incomplete at arm level too...so they cant fob me off with a manual...
i can rest now

sherbs...yeah i could do that option too, yet thats a last resort as i too proud for me own good..so i'll just rough it. If they dont give me one..I'll be coming to a local skip near one of you...get me boys watching 'scrap heap challenge on tv..... nhs work..conveyor belt work..been there did that...know all about red flagsick days for 3 days off for an opertion (lol i exagerate a bit)...get into the private sector..much nicer..

xx

[Trinity]

pinkcloud, on 21 August 2011 - 02:51 AM, said:

oooooo Trinity thank you....all aint lost

i aint shy..i'd do an nhs chair...after all i aint got the job to afford to drive a mercedes...so i dont have one. I be grateful for it....after all....a chairs a chair to ab people....the majority of people around here are ab....as long as it gets me out i really dont care. I may be t-spine yet got arm strength of incomplete at arm level too...so they cant fob me off with a manual...
i can rest now

sherbs...yeah i could do that option too, yet thats a last resort as i too proud for me own good..so i'll just rough it. If they dont give me one..I'll be coming to a local skip near one of you...get me boys watching 'scrap heap challenge on tv..... nhs work..conveyor belt work..been there did that...know all about red flagsick days for 3 days off for an opertion (lol i exagerate a bit)...get into the private sector..much nicer..

xx

Have a look here for more info, best to be prepared when these appointments come up. http://www.direct.go...ment/DG_4000495

[sherbs]

Thanks for the link Trinity

Had a good read, and went through the O/T referral, but deemed to able, for them to assist at this time, but if things get worse, blah blah blah, Yeah like i really want to beg for a wheelchair, and like i really want to have to use one in the first place, On a happy note, the O/T dept. did put a handrail up for me in my bathroom, hurrah, and then closed my case!!!

Cheers