HC Deb 20 June 1986 vol 99 c659W
Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what plans he has to make the standards of assessment and prescription of wheelchairs more consistent;

(2) what is his estimate of the number of disabled people using unsuitable or unsafe wheelchairs.

Mr. Newton

The models of wheelchair issued by the Department meet standards of stability and durability and other safety requirements such as fire retardancy, and none is inherently unsafe. The suitability of a wheelchair for a particular individual is a matter of professional judgment. In reaching decisions about the recommendations of the McColl report I shall have in mind the scope for improving assessment and prescribing practices.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he intends to introduce a low-cost, low-performance wheelchair into the range in the near future.

Mr. Newton

An initial order has been placed for one new model of lower-cost pushchair for occasional users and arrangements are being made for its introduction and evaluation in use.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the back-up services for wheelchair users.

Mr. Newton

We are actively exploring ways of improving these services in the light of the McColl report.