§ Mr. LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on procurement policy for NHS wheelchairs. [111055]
§ Mr. HuttonNational Health Service Supplies negotiate framework agreements for the purchase of manual and electrically powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs (EPIOCs) with manufacturers. The current agreement covers eight manufacturers. Wheelchair centres may purchase wheelchairs outside these agreements, subject to compliance with all local standing orders and European legislation. It is the responsibility of wheelchair centres to purchase the correct specification of wheelchair for individual patients.
§ Mr. LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many wheelchairs have been supplied to the NHS in each of the last five years. [111056]
§ Mr. HuttonFigures on the number of wheelchairs supplied to the National Health Service are not available. However numbers issued by the National Health Service are as follows:
Year Manual Powered Total 1994–95 193,719 9,441 203,160 1995–96 190,073 10,000 200,073 1996–97 185,471 10,135 195,606 1997–98 not available not available — 1998–99 195,082 12,939 208,021 Because of changes to information collection, no information is available for 1997–98.
The figures for 1998–99 were obtained from an NHS Supplies exercise requesting data from trusts regarding wheelchair purchases and issues.