Wheelchair parts still not supplied

A di s abl e d Royal Navy veteran says he is still waiting for replacement parts for his wheelchair two months after requesting them.

Stephen Beerling, of Northumberland Road, Maidstone, is now worried that people in other parts of Kent may be experiencing similar problems.

The 61-year-old has had his wheelchair for nearly three years and on August 21 he requested new push handles, foot plates and wheel rims from Millbrook Healthcare, the NHS’s wheelchair service provider for Kent and Medway.

He said he has had no progress despite numerous calls.

Mr Beerling, a disabled rights advocate and former councillor for Fant ward, said not having the parts has affected his ability to get out and about.

He said: “If it’s happening to me, how many other people is it happening to?

“My wheelchair is my legs. I can’t live my life as I would normally because of the restrictions been placed on me.”

Mr Beerling, who lost his leg more than 30 years ago in an accident involving a propeller shaft, said Millbrook’s main supplier, Cinque Ports Mobility in Folkestone, had told him the parts he needs could have been sent out in 15 days.

Millbrook Healthcare did not comment on whether it was experiencing difficulties with supplying parts across the county.

Alex Underwood, governance manager at the provider said: “Contact has been made with Mr Beerling and we are addressing his concerns.”