§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the terms of reference for the current review of the wheelchair service for indoor and outdoor powered wheelchairs; when the contract for the review project was let; and what the deadline is for receipt of the contractor's report. [57772]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 2 November 1998]: In 1996 the then Government announced additional funding to enable health authorities to introduce the provision of electrically powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs and a voucher scheme for wheelchair users. An evaluation study of the implementation and operation of these initiatives has now begun. The evaluation will critically examine the performance of health authorities and wheelchair service providers in meeting the objectives of the two initiatives; identify the features of successful implementation; and make recommendations on any further action which may be necessary either in relation to the objectives or to improve implementation across the National Health Service.
The contract for the evaluation study was formally awarded on 29 October 1998. The work is expected to be completed by 31 March 1999.