§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent guidance he has given to(a) health authorities and (b) NHS trusts regarding the provision of electronically powered wheelchairs. [128713]
§ Mr. HuttonComprehensive guidance on the introduction of electrically powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs (with phased funding between 1996–97/1999–2000) was issued to the National Health Service in May 1996 (Health Service Guidance (96)34).
On 31 May this year, all health authorities were notified of their recurring allocations from 1 April 2000 for the continuation of the powered wheelchair and voucher scheme initiatives. This letter advised health authorities of our decision that allocations should:
be free of distinctions between what should be spent on powered wheelchairs or vouchers schemes, and that health authorities and provider services should consult with service users and take a flexible approach to ensuring this money meets local needs and priorities in wheelchair services, andthat all services should continue to operate a voucher scheme which offers users a choice in having a wheelchair which meets their needs.