§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average time taken(a) to process an application for a wheelchair and (b) for an applicant to receive a wheelchair. [118581]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe average time taken to process an application for a wheelchair depends on the type of equipment required. For level 1 wheelchairs, applications are processed within one working day of receipt at the Regional Wheelchair Centre and chairs are delivered to clients within five working days. For level 2 modified equipment, an application takes 10 working days to process and the equipment is delivered within 20 working days. For level 3 specialised equipment, processing of an order takes 10 working days and delivery of the equipment can take in the region of 3-6 months.
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many wheelchairs have been allocated to applicants in each of the last three years in Northern Ireland. [118579]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe information is as follows:
240W
- 1 January-31 December 1997: 2,905
- 1 January-31 December 1998: 3,586
- 1 January-31 December 1998: 2,631
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons in Northern Ireland have(a) applied for and (b) are awaiting the allocation of a wheelchair. [118580]
§ Mr. George HowarthThere are 257 applicants awaiting the allocation of a wheelchair. The vast majority of these are existing wheelchair users who, due to changing circumstances, need more specialised equipment, which has been ordered and is awaiting delivery.