Wheelchair Assessment

Wheelchair Assessment

A wheelchair assessment is an appointment with a qualified healthcare professional to see what equipment (wheelchair and cushion) is best for you to allow you to be as independent as possible.

It will look at your physical needs, and what activities you want to do. It will also think about anyone who’s helping you or moving your wheelchair. It is important you go prepared, so you get the most out of your appointment.

Before you go

• Where is the wheelchair service and how will you get there and/or park.
• Do you want to take someone with you (family member, carer, interpreter)
• Take note of measurements: Width of narrowest doorway in your home, height of bed, armchair seat and toilet seat.
• Check your appointment letter, this will have details about location, duration of the appointment, what to expect at your assessment, and other useful information.
• Prepare a list of medications you take and your GP details.
• Be prepared to answer questions about your daily routine.

On the day

You may be asked these questions:

• What help do you have available?
• What does an average day look like for you?
• How is your mobility? How does it change day by day? (think about good days and bad days)
• What’s your daily routine?
• Have you had any problems with your skin?
• Have you got any concerns about the way you sit?
• What activities do you currently do and what activities would you like to do?
• What equipment you have already tried?
• What support do you need? (from carers/ family members)
• What vehicle/s you use or how you plan to access transport?

If you have Cauda Equina Syndrome then SIA has created a letter for you to share at your appointment.

DOWNLOAD HERE

After the assessment

You will be told the result of the assessment. It’s likely to be one of the following three:

• You qualify for equipment (wheelchair and cushion) and it will be provided at the appointment.
• You qualify for the equipment and it needs to be specially ordered. Check with your wheelchair service about how long it will take for your equipment to be available. You will be given another appointment for hand over of the equipment.
• You don’t qualify for equipment. This is sometimes because you might only need a wheelchair for some of the time (e.g. Cauda Equina Syndrome or if you have an incomplete spinal cord injury)

Getting your wheelchair

You will get an appointment for your new equipment to be handed over to you. You will be given information on how to use it and it will be set up for you. If you are given a powered wheelchair, you will also need a driving assessment to check you are safe to drive. You may need another appointment to have the driving assessment; the wheelchair service will arrange this with you.

These decisions will be based on strict NHS guidelines about your medical needs and may be different depending on where you live. This might be different from what you expected. You do not have to accept the wheelchair offered. You can buy your own wheelchair privately. You can also buy one using a ‘personal wheelchair budget’. This is a virtual amount of money from your wheelchair services which allows you to go to a supplier and choose a wheelchair, paying for any upgrades out of your own money. NHS England » Personal wheelchair budgets

Follow up appointments

Remember to ask about follow-up appointments. These aren’t automatic so you will need to call if you think your needs have changed or if there is a problem with your wheelchair or cushion. After your appointment, if you have any concerns about your equipment contact your wheelchair service first.