Cash Plea For Wheelchair Users

More money to fund wheelchair services was demanded yesterday after NHS staff said a £1 million injection from the Scottish Executive was nowhere near enough. Around 96,000 people in Scotland use wheelchairs, but many face long waits for upgraded equipment.

Last week, the Executive said it would provide £1 million to cut waiting times for wheelchair users. But managers of these services have threatened to pull out of talks over further provision unless more money is allocated to make improvements. Lewis Macdonald, the deputy health minister, pledged yesterday to press for extra funding for Scotland’s wheelchair services.

An independent review of wheelchair services has recommended “as a matter of urgency” that spending in this area should be doubled. At present, the service receives about £14.2 million a year. But the review called for an extra £8.7 million initially, rising to an additional £15.8 million a year after three years.

NHS managers said the £1 million announced by the Executive was not enough to provide the services they needed. Andy Menzies, the manager of wheelchair services in the Highlands and Western Isles, said while the extra money was welcomed, it would only help their needs in the short term.

“It is only a small amount and we need an awful lot more to do the service justice,” he said. “This money does not allow us to plan in the long term. Staff and patients are demoralised and we are unable to provide the best technology to help people because there is no money to do so.” Mr Menzies said his department had only £160 per patient to provide equipment, staffing and support.

Mr Macdonald insisted there was a “clear commitment” to seek extra cash for the service as the Executive conducted its spending review. “This year, as in the nature of all government spending arrangements, there is a review of overall spending for the three years going forward,” he said. “And we will put into that pot a very clear case, based on the findings of the review, around what the needs of the wheelchair service will be.”