§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) manual and (b) powered wheelchairs were purchased by the NHS in each of the last four years. [109962]
390W
§ Mr. HuttonThe information requested is not collected. However, estimates based on the numbers of wheelchairs issued by the National Health Service wheelchair service in the years 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1998–99 have been made, as follows:
Year Manual wheelchair Powered wheelchair 1995–96 83,632 5,000 1996–97 81,607 5,068 1997–98 75,090 6,268 No information is available for 1997–98.
The figures for 1995–96 and 1996–97 were obtained from information compiled by the Government Statistical Service giving the total number of wheelchairs issued. The figures for 1998–99 were obtained from a NHS Supplies exercise requesting data from trusts regarding wheelchair purchases and issues.