Wheelchair Assessments

If you struggle to walk or are disabled, you may be able to get a wheelchair from the NHS. The information in this section explains who can refer you for a wheelchair, the existence of eligibility criteria and the importance of assessment by experts. Poorly fitting wheelchairs can cause serious problems but getting the right wheelchair can enable and give you more independence and comfort.

The below video details what happens before, during and after a wheelchair assessment.

Wheelchair assessment - SIA

It can be useful to have a clear idea of what works for you, and what doesn’t. It’s a great idea to think about your posture and comfort, as well as how a wheelchair can best help you, before attending an assessment. The below Wheelchair Check is a useful tool that can help you to spend time going through this, as well as providing a useful final printout that can be shown to an assessor, enabling them to better help you.

Wheelchair Assessment - Identify possible sitting/rolling-related problems

NHS Provided Wheelchairs

If you struggle to walk or are disabled you may be able to get a wheelchair from the NHS.

• If this is your first wheelchair, speak to your GP or other health care professional as they will need to refer you to your local wheelchair service. If not, you can self-refer if your situation has changed and you need to have a review
• If you have been referred by an accredited therapist, or if you have a telephone assessment, a basic manual wheelchair may be issued directly to you
• If you meet the eligibility criteria for your local area, you may have a telephone or virtual assessment and be issued a wheelchair directly. For more complex situations you will have a full assessment either in the clinic / your home / your work / place of education and discuss with your therapist which wheelchair, or wheelchairs, will best suit the needs you have
• You will be sent an appointment, and the wheelchair therapist will discuss with you: your condition, how the wheelchair can meet your needs, how long you need to use it each day, and how it might help you achieve your goals
• Your wheelchair will be ordered from a range of wheelchairs that are available to NHS services. If, after a conversation with your therapist, you decide you need a different wheelchair or accessory from the one prescribed, you may be offered a Personal Wheelchair Budget (see ‘Funding’ section below for more information)
• You may need another appointment to ensure that the armrests, footplates and other elements of the wheelchair are adjusted to best support you. Though, these may be already set according to the measurements taken at your assessment or alternatively, an approved repairer may adjust your wheelchair
• Your therapist will show you how to use your wheelchair and talk about the repair and maintenance that is necessary with the relevant contact numbers
• You may be given a follow up appointment or advised to call if your condition changes

The wheelchair will be on loan to you from your local wheelchair service. They will be responsible for maintenance and repair of our wheelchair. You may need to think about insurance, especially if you have a powered wheelchair (see Wheelchair Insurance for more information).

The Wheelchair Alliance has produced a Quality Framework which may help guide you in the conversations you have with your wheelchair service during the different steps to getting the right wheelchair.