Hard Pushed - Powered Wheelchair Campaign

The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign will shortly be publishing guidelines aimed at wheelchair providers advising on how to deal with the specific needs of those with neuromuscular conditions when assessing for and providing wheelchairs.

These guidelines will be published in June and sent to Wheelchair Services departments across the country.

This will coincide with a new campaign asking Government to take more action on this issue. At the launch we would like to present a petition to the Secretary of State for health, Patricia Hewitt calling for better organisation of the service and, importantly more funding so that everyone can get the wheelchair they need on the NHS.

Click here for the petition and your feedback

The cover of the Hard Pushed campaign report from the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign

Severely disabled people are forced to privately fund essential powered wheelchairs due to a lack of funding in the NHS Wheelchair Services, according to a new report “Hard Pushed – how the NHS fails powered wheelchair users” published by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

Through the personal testimonies of people with muscular dystrophy the report reveals that: people’s right to independence is being denied; they are being forced to live with pain and increased health risks; and in some cases people can wait over a year and a half for their powered wheelchair.

Luke Griffin, at home in his manual wheelchair © Richard Bailey

“We were told by the occupational therapist that Luke did not need a wheelchair because he could crawl and because he was too young." says Lisa Pearson, Luke Griffin's (pictured) mother.

Simon Davis, in his powered wheelchair, with his mother © Richard Bailey

“The NHS assessed Simon after a wait of several months and agreed that a larger chair was required. This was last June and it still has not been replaced, despite chasing by nursing staff.” Liz Davis, Bristol.