manual wheelchair assesment

I have read, on another forum, of someone paying for a private wheelchair assessment and report for the purposes of their DWP claim.

Mrs Hurtyback wrote:

I have read, on another forum, of someone paying for a private wheelchair assessment and report for the purposes of their DWP claim.

Yes MHB,

That may well be an option.

I would be surpised if a G.P. or other treating HCP would recommend anybody for a wheelchair assessment, just so the person in question could gain a report stating that they could not in fact use a manual wheelchair.

Of course, I stand to be corrected.

bro58

Do you really need an assessment for a wheelchair?

My doctor ordered me one when he realised I needed one, and it was delivered with no problem. I can't propell it myself as a member of my family comes out with me, but it allows me to get out and about outside.

bro58 wrote:

I would be surpised if a G.P. or other treating HCP would recommend anybody for a wheelchair assessment, just so the person in question could gain a report stating that they could not in fact use a manual wheelchair.

Of course, I stand to be corrected.

bro58[/quote]

I don't feel that this would be a good use of NHS resources, and I don't think that many HCPs would either!

JAXIE wrote:

Do you really need an assessment for a wheelchair?

My doctor ordered me one when he realised I needed one, and it was delivered with no problem. I can't propell it myself as a member of my family comes out with me, but it allows me to get out and about outside.

I am surprised to hear this. Getting a wheelhair that is right for he individual can be a complex process. It needs to suit the person's height and weight; be suitable for the specific medical condition (special seat, footrests, extra padding etc); be self-propelled or propelled by another, as appropriate; light enough to be lifted into a car, if needed, etc. For this reason, many areas have a system where the patient is measured, weighed and then assessed by an OT (or sometimes a phyio) to try and get a chair that is as suitable as possible.

Hi I wasn't expecting a GP or HCP to pay for it. I can just remember reading somewhere where someone was put in to WRAG and I think she sought "independent medical advice" to say that she couldn't possibly use a manual wheelchair, which she did and was then put in the support group.

So, really written supporting evidence to back up claim.