HL Deb 16 July 1998 vol 592 cc51-2WA
Lord McColl of Dulwich

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What funding arrangements exist for indoor and outdoor powered wheelchair provision in the United Kingdom; and [HL2742]

Whether the budget for the provision of indoor and outdoor powered wheelchairs remains ring-fenced. [HL2743]

Baroness Jay of Paddington

Additional funding has been made available to health authorities since 1996–97 specifically to meet the cost of the introduction of powered indoor/outdoor wheelchair provision. The additional funding has been allocated in phased amounts each year as services have built up over time. The current intention is to add the money recurrently to health authority baselines from 1999–2000.

Lord McColl of Dulwich

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What performance management procedures exist for the indoor and outdoor powered wheelchair funding scheme and the separate wheelchair voucher scheme. [HL2744]

Baroness Jay of Paddington

Statistical information on the implementation of the two wheelchair initiatives is collected on a quarterly basis and is monitored by the National Health Service Executive. Progress on implementation is also performance-managed through NHS Executive regional offices. Regional Directors of Performance Management have recently been reminded of the importance of ensuring implementation of these changes for service users.

Lord McColl of Dulwich

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What information has been made publicly available on how health authorities are monitoring the quality of the wheelchair services, specifically in accordance with Section 27 of Health Service Guidelines, HSG(96)34. [HL2746]

Baroness Jay of Paddington

Health Service Guidelines HSG(96)34 described the arrangements for the scheme for the funding and supply of powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs, introduced in 1996. Section 27 of the guidelines stated that health authorities would be expected to monitor the quality of the service available to their residents. No information has been made publicly available on how health authorities are monitoring the quality of the supply of powered indoor/outdoor powered wheelchairs. A review of this scheme, and of the wheelchair voucher scheme, is being conducted over the next few months. These reviews are expected to be concluded, and the results made publicly available, during the current financial year.