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Wheelchairs - introduction

If you need a wheelchair, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) Wheelchair Service may provide one.

DHSSPS Wheelchair Service

Wheelchairs can be manual or powered; there are four different types of powered wheelchair and you will be assessed to make sure your needs are met.

DHSSPS Wheelchair Services are provided by the Regional Disablement Centre at Musgrave Park. Services are also provided by local assessment centres within the health care trusts in Londonderry, Enniskillen, Armagh, Newry and Antrim. An assessment of your needs is carried out by an occupational therapist who will recommend the wheelchair that best meets your needs.

Basic process for wheelchair provision:

  • you are referred to an Occupational Therapist within your health care trust
  • an assessment of your needs will take place
  • the wheelchair, and training in its use, is provided by either the local centre or the Regional Disablement Centre
  • a maintenance and repair plan(s) is arranged

Wheelchairs can be manual or powered and may be provided with accessories such as cushions, armrests and trays.

Referrals and assessments

Referrals

You will be referred by a hospital, doctor, consultant or occupational therapist.

Consideration will be given to the nature and level of your disability and/or medical condition, your lifestyle and needs, where and when you will use the wheelchair and your ability to use a particular type of wheelchair.

Sometimes more than one type of wheelchair may be required.

Assessments

Assessments are normally carried out at the Regional Disablement Centre, or at a local assessment centre or at the clients’ own home. The person doing the assessment will be a professional person who is qualified in wheelchair assessments - for example, an occupational therapist.

Occasionally, a hospital consultant or doctor may prescribe a wheelchair.

The process may also involve a rehabilitation engineer who will make any adjustments or add features and fixtures such as special postural seating.

Where necessary, a specialist team can provide assessments for equipment for people with severe physical disabilities who cannot use standard wheelchairs and/or controls.

The assessment may include other professionals across health, education and social services.

This is especially important if the wheelchair is for a child who will have development needs. All the situations in which a wheelchair may be used - such as at school, using transport and social activities - will be part of the assessment. Parents and carers should also be part of the process and their opinions and views will be considered.

Ask your local social services if you need help with transport.

Re-assessment of your needs

When a person's needs change, a review may be carried out. This may include, for example, changing from a manual to a powered wheelchair.

Receiving your wheelchair, maintenance and repair

Timescales in which your wheelchair will be delivered can vary depending on the type of wheelchair provided and local resources.

It may be from 'standard stock', ordered from a supplier, or 'bespoke' (made to measure). For a bespoke wheelchair, you may have to wait up to a maximum of 18 weeks.

When it's ready, there is a formal handover of the wheelchair which could either be at the Regional Disablement Centre or local clinic or at your home (or where you are living). This should involve:

  • showing you how to use the wheelchair including safety issues
  • providing you with relevant documents and a point of contact for future enquiries
  • information about insurance (only applicable to electric outdoor wheelchairs) and arranging repairs/maintenance - and who is responsible for this

If you move

If you move to a different area, the wheelchair should go with you. Depending on what type of agreement you have, the new Wheelchair Service may take over the future maintenance of equipment. Minor repairs can often be done at your home.

Types of powered wheelchair

Indoor and/or outdoor powered wheelchairs are for use by disabled people who cannot propel a manual wheelchair.

There are criteria for using some types of electric wheelchair. For example, meeting DVLA eye test requirements for road use or the requirement for an attendant to attend a wheelchair clinic/centre along with the user.

'Attendant' means someone who helps push a manual wheelchair or controls a powered wheelchair on someone else's behalf.

There are two types of powered wheelchair offered because a user cannot propel or use a manual wheelchair:

  • Electric Indoor Chair (EPIC)
  • Electrically Powered Indoor/Outdoor Chair (EPOIC)

Highway regulations group outdoor powered wheelchairs into two categories, Class 2 and Class 3:

  • Class 2 wheelchairs must have a maximum speed of 4mph (6.4kph) and are for pavement use only

Rules 36-46 of the Highway Code cover powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

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