DLA and appliances

I have been on DLA HRM since 2004 as virtually unable to walk and also recieve the middle rate of care since 2009 I have now developed problems with my feet due to my odd gait as I have walked on a deformed knee since 2004 following a serious injury and several operations.I also have long standing secondary back problems
I am undergoing normal DLA review as we speak and did inform the DLA that matters were so bad that I was having to consider using a wheelchair, probably a manual one in the near future. this is something I have lomg fought against but it is inevitable as I have a range of well documented and complex problems.
Question is, how do I go about obtaining a wheelchair in a manner that would satisfy the DLA? I note that the claim form asks if any aids and appliances used were prescribed by a health professional like an Occ. therapist etc...Do I just go out and buy a chair or do I apply for one somehow ot other?
I dont want the DLA to be able to think Ive just decided I need a wheelchair and gone and bought one if you see what I mean....My mobility has got so bad however that I can hardly weight bear at all now though and my joints are getting worse every time I try and weight bear on them. I need a new knee but due to other issues with DVT's am now considered too high risk for such an operation.
I am currently having a disabled shower toilet and so on fitted which the OT referred me for almost thre eyears ago and I have other aids like dressing aids and raised toilet seats etc which were prescribed by OT...is there any process by which i should apply for a wheelchair?

micksville wrote:

I have been on DLA HRM since 2004 as virtually unable to walk and also recieve the middle rate of care since 2009 I have now developed problems with my feet due to my odd gait as I have walked on a deformed knee since 2004 following a serious injury and several operations.I also have long standing secondary back problems
I am undergoing normal DLA review as we speak and did inform the DLA that matters were so bad that I was having to consider using a wheelchair, probably a manual one in the near future. this is something I have lomg fought against but it is inevitable as I have a range of well documented and complex problems.
Question is, how do I go about obtaining a wheelchair in a manner that would satisfy the DLA? I note that the claim form asks if any aids and appliances used were prescribed by a health professional like an Occ. therapist etc...Do I just go out and buy a chair or do I apply for one somehow ot other?
I dont want the DLA to be able to think Ive just decided I need a wheelchair and gone and bought one if you see what I mean....My mobility has got so bad however that I can hardly weight bear at all now though and my joints are getting worse every time I try and weight bear on them. I need a new knee but due to other issues with DVT's am now considered too high risk for such an operation.
I am currently having a disabled shower toilet and so on fitted which the OT referred me for almost thre eyears ago and I have other aids like dressing aids and raised toilet seats etc which were prescribed by OT...is there any process by which i should apply for a wheelchair?

Hi,

Although the query is a bit beyond the forum remit, generally if a wheelchair is needed medically, the NHS Wheelchair Service will often supply a basic manual chair after an assessment. Each case is looked at on its merits so it cannot be said they will definitely supply one. Contact the Patient Advisory and Liaison Service (PALS) at your local hospital and they will explain the process and can arrange an assessment in most cases.

It is very rare for Local Authority Occupational Therapists to supply wheelchairs but they may provide a letter of support.

If you are unable to obtain one from the NHS then either purchasing or perhaps hiring a wheelchair short term from such as the Red Cross locally to see how you get on with it before purchasing could be the way forward.

Pete

Thanks Pete Im due to see the orthaepidic specialists soon anyway and the occ. therapist is coing next week to discuss a few matters so i will ask both of them about it and hopefully get supporting letters.

My GP referred me to the local wheelchair services, run from a base at one of our hospitals. I think they except HRM as proof that you might well need a wheelchair. They did an assessment there, and provided me with a basic, but very well-fitted wheelchair. And it's ugly enough for me to be able to leave it "parked" somewhere (e.g. outside a non-accessible toilet) without fear of it being pinched!

Incidentally, if you think you might want to get an electric mobility scooter, then take your letter of entitlement to DLA along to a local "Shopmobility" service where, for a year's fee, you can sign up and have an afternoon's trial on an electric scooter - or as many afternoons as you want on different machines.

They cost a lot to buy, of course, and the DWP might well treat that as proof that you could "mobilise". I don't know what sort of rules they run.

Incidentally, you should be warned that being able to "mobilise" in a wheelchair will tell against you in an ESA evaluation - if that's a consideration. Not that it will allow you to get into an ATOS evaluation centre of course ...