HC Deb 23 July 1996 vol 282 cc216-7W
Ms Harman

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average charge made to patients provided with wheelchair by hospitals. [39257]

Mr. Bowis

Wheelchairs provided by the national health service are issued free on loan.

Mr. Alfred Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 27 June,Official Report, column 194, about guidance to wheelchair centres, what guidance has been issued concerning the changes to the provision of indoor-outdoor wheelchairs announced on 23 February, beyond the NHS Executive document HSG(96)34; and when disabled people can expect to benefit from these changes. [39173]

Mr. Bowis

Health authorities and wheelchair service centres are now setting up local arrangements in accordance with the guidance in HSG(96)34. We expect that the first powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs will be available very soon.