§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he collates into delays in prescription of electrically powered indoor-outdoor wheelchairs; and what service standards are set centrally in this area. [48819]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 17 April 2002]: We do not collect details centrally, of the length of time it takes to receive an EPIOC (electrically powered indoor-outdoor) wheelchair once it is assessed to be appropriate.
We do not set service standards centrally; these are a matter for local services.
The Department is embarking on work, in partnership with the Modernisation Agency and Wheelchair Services themselves, aimed at improving services generally and spreading best practice across the country.