NHS wheelchair services and help with funding

England

The NHS says you should ask a GP, physiotherapist, occupational therapist or hospital staff to refer you to your local wheelchair service for an assessment, which you need before you can get an NHS wheelchair. You may be able to refer yourself; check with your local wheelchair service or integrated care board (ICB).

The service decides whether you need a wheelchair and, if so, what type. Local eligibility criteria apply, and not everyone assessed will be offered a powered chair.

Official source: NHS: how to get a wheelchair (opens in a new tab)

Personal wheelchair budgets (England)

Since 2 December 2019, people who use wheelchair services and whose posture and mobility needs affect their wider health and social care needs have had a legal right to a personal wheelchair budget, according to NHS England. It applies when someone who meets their local service's criteria needs a new wheelchair.

The budget can support your choice of wheelchair either within NHS-commissioned services or outside them. You should be told upfront how much is available and what your local options are, and, if you buy outside the NHS service, how repairs and maintenance will work. Ask your ICB or wheelchair service how it works locally.

Official source: NHS England: personal wheelchair budgets (opens in a new tab)

Scotland

NHS Scotland's wheelchair and seating services are based at regional rehabilitation centres, including WestMARC in Glasgow, the SMART Centre in Edinburgh, the TORT Centre in Tayside and MARS in Aberdeen. They provide manual and powered wheelchairs after assessment and use the same eligibility criteria.

Official source: NHS Scotland wheelchair services (opens in a new tab)

Wales

In Wales the Posture and Mobility Service assesses for and provides manual and powered wheelchairs, and handles delivery, collection, repair and maintenance. You will need a referral from a health professional.

Official source: NHS Wales Posture and Mobility Service (opens in a new tab)

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland the Department of Health's Wheelchair Service may provide a wheelchair. nidirect says you are referred to an occupational therapist in your health and social care trust, who assesses your needs; the wheelchair then comes from a local centre or the Regional Disablement Centre at Musgrave Park, with a maintenance and repair plan. There are four types of powered wheelchair and you are assessed to make sure your needs are met.

Official source: nidirect: equipment for disabled people (opens in a new tab)

The Motability Scheme

The Motability Scheme lets people who receive a qualifying mobility allowance lease a scooter or powered wheelchair, with payments taken from the allowance. The package includes insurance, servicing, routine repairs and breakdown cover, and a Scheme dealer can bring products to your home to try. Motability says there are more than 500 scooters and powered wheelchairs to choose from.

We have not been able to confirm that any XSTO product is available on the Motability Scheme. If this route matters to you, use Motability's own tools or ask a Scheme dealer.

Official sources: Motability: scooters and powered wheelchairs (opens in a new tab)Motability: how it works (opens in a new tab)

Other help

The NHS notes that mobility scooters are not generally available on the NHS, and suggests charities and grants may help with costs. If you are disabled or have a long-term illness, VAT relief can also reduce the price of qualifying equipment you buy yourself.

Official source: GOV.UK: VAT relief (opens in a new tab)

Questions