Birmingham Wheelchair Service

What happens after a referral has been made? 

Screening of referrals  

Every referral we receive is ‘screened’ by a clinical team member to ensure the referral meets the above criteria. If the form is fully completed and there is enough information for us to identify appropriate equipment we will have this delivered to you. 

If we need to show you more complex equipment or assess you further, we will arrange to see you in clinic or visit you at home. We will contact you with appointment details. 

If we are unable to assess you for equipment because you don’t meet the service criteria we will send you a letter explaining the reason we are unable to help. In the event you might disagree with our decision you should discuss this with the person who filled out the referral form. Our decision is based on the information they have provided. 

We will also send you information including:

• hire of manual wheelchairs
• what to look for if you want to buy a wheelchair.

What type of wheelchair can we provide?

• Attendant or carer pushed manual wheelchair
• Self-propelled manual wheelchair
• Supportive buggies for younger children
• Electric powered indoor chairs (EPIC) for patients who have no other means of moving around indoors. If you are able to use walking aids or move yourself in a manual wheelchair within the home you would not be eligible for a powered wheelchair. 
• Electric powered indoor/ outdoor chairs (EPIOC). You may be eligible for this type of chair, if you are eligible for an EPIC and have suitable access,to get in and out of your home.

We may also need to consider:

• supportive seating
• pressure relief
• some accessories

These will be discussed at the point of assessment.  

Reference will be made to the full specification for further details if necessary. 

What don’t we provide?

• scooter, tricycles, sports wheelchairs
• electrically powered wheelchairs for outdoor use only
• where the need for the equipment is predominately for the Carer e.g. powerpack or attendant controlled powered wheelchair
•  transit wheelchairs for use in nursing or residential homes
• accessories.

- trays

- rain covers

- sun shades

- walking stick holders

- lights

Useful links 

These will be discussed at the point of assessment. 

Reference will be made to the full specification for further details if necessary.  

• Disabled Living Foundation – impartial advice, information and training on independent living 
• SSAFA The Armed Forces Charity provides lifelong support to anyone who is currently serving or has ever served in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force. 
• Wizz Kidz transform the lives of disabled children by providing the vital equipment, support and life skills they need to reach their full potential. 
• Rica is a UK consumer research charity. We provide practical unbiased information based on research with older and disabled people.  

How long do I have to wait?

When Birmingham Wheelchair Service is able to provide equipment from the screening process (see above) it is usually supplied from stock and delivered in 2 to 3 weeks. If the equipment needed is a non-stocked size we will have to order it for you and supply will be approximately six to eight weeks.

However, if you need to be seen to be assessed for a wheelchair, Birmingham Wheelchair Service currently has a waiting list for an appointment. This is due to a high level of demand. At present you could wait approximately 6 months for an appointment within the non-urgent category.  An urgent appointment is currently a wait of approximately 12 weeks. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, urgent categories have been reviewed and each referral received will be individually prioritised due to clinical need.

Birmingham Wheelchair Service has a number of improvement projects in progress aimed to improve delivery and waiting times. Any improvement in waiting times will be updated on the website.

How can I change my appointment?

If you need to rearrange your appointment, please contact the Wheelchair Service as soon as possible on 0121 466 3220 or email the service on Birmingham.Wheelchairs@NHS.net 

Our appointments are in great demand and we are able to offer your cancelled appointment to someone else if we have enough notice. 

Where will I be seen? 

We primarily hold clinics at our base:

West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre
91 Oak Tree Lane
Selly Oak
Birmingham 
B29 6JA

Assessments can be carried out in your home, school or college particularly when it is important to see the environment where the wheelchair will be used. 

What will happen at my appointment?

The clinical team consists of therapists, rehabilitation engineers, trainee RE’s, assistant practitioner and technician.  Your appointment could be made up of one or more of this clinical team depending on your requirements. 

During your appointment you will have an opportunity to discuss your mobility needs and what you want to be able to achieve. The clinicians will discuss any relevant postural, pressure relief, mobility and social issues. 

In clinic we are able to show examples of equipment and offer the chance for you to try them. By the end of your appointment we would hope to agree what equipment we are able to supply and give you an idea of how long this may take. 

Once the equipment is available it will be supplied to you, either by our repair and delivery contractor (Ross Care) direct to your home or by the clinicians either in clinic or at your home /school/day centre etc, we will contact you to arrange the handover clinic or visit. 

How do I maintain the wheelchair?

When the Wheelchair Service supplies equipment, it is on loan to you. You have a responsibility to keep it safe, clean and check it on a regular basis. Birmingham Wheelchair Service has a duty of care to repair and maintain it.

Birmingham Wheelchair Service contract repairs and maintenance of their wheelchairs to Ross Care Limited 

You can contact them by telephone 0121 328 0227 or email birmingham@rosscare.co.uk