Now NHS ‘rations’ wheelchairs for tens of thousands

THE NHS is refusing to supply wheelchairs to tens of thousands of vulnerable patients, an investigation has found.

Some health trusts are turning down as many as two-thirds of adults and children referred by GPs for wheelchair services.

The NHS is also meant to ensure that all patients referred by their GP receive their wheelchair or a repair within 18 weeks.

But the investigation found that just 4 per cent of 209 local health trusts are meeting this target.

More than 6,600 adults and children waited more than 18 weeks in the last three months alone.

The probe by Buzzfeed News exposes the extent to which NHS trusts are trying to save cash.

Many are already accused of rationing hip and knee replacements and cataract surgery unless strict eligibility rules are met.

Previously unpublished figures from NHS England show that 55,433 adults and children were referred to wheelchair services by GPs between January and March 2017.

But almost a fifth – 10,391 patients – were turned down because they did not meet the strict eligibility criteria set by their Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

In the worst trusts, Bracknell and Ascot CCG, 67.7 per cent of patients were refused wheelchair services, while North West Surrey turned down 67.6 per cent of patients.

These figures only cover a threemonth period so the total number denied wheelchairs in a year will run into the tens of thousands.

A basic wheelchair costs around £140, but lighter, more comfortable chairs cost around £2,000.

An NHS England spokesman said: ‘Local GP-led commissioning groups are ultimately responsible for securing and funding wheelchair services for people locally.

‘ However, NHS England is working with the National Wheelchair Leadership Alliance to develop best-practice standards as well as introducing personal wheelchair budgets.’