Wheelchair Service

Our service is for people of all ages who have a permanent or temporary disability or injury that are registered with a Knowsley GP.

Our team works closely with other services within the Centre for Independent Living in Knowsley.
We also work with community nursing teams and specialist nursing services.

If you think you could benefit from a wheelchair assessment, make an appointment to see your GP who will be able to refer you to our service. If you are using physiotherapy services, your physiotherapist will also be able to make a referral for you. 

If you are an existing service user or the carer or family member of an existing service user, you can contact us directly if you need further support. Our service is available from Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

The Knowsley Wheelchair Service is unable to carry out roadside repairs or recovery in the event of a breakdown. It is your responsibility to keep your wheelchair in a clean condition and report any faults to the repairers as soon as they occur.

Repairs are free of charge

Touching up of paintwork and maintenance of tyre pressures is not included in the repair contract. 

Following a request for a repair, the repairer has three working days to respond (The day the fault is reported is counted as day zero). However, in an emergency, we will endeavour to respond appropriately. An emergency is when the wheelchair is not in a mobile or safe condition and the user is dependent on the wheelchair for mobility indoors. 

Any employees that visit you must wear or carry an identification badge/card. We advise that you check this before allowing them entry to your home. 

Every effort will be made to carry out the repairs to your wheelchair on site. However, it may be necessary to call back on a second occasion with any parts to complete the repair.

In some instances, it may be essential to collect your wheelchair for repairs to be carried out in the workshop. A loan wheelchair may be provided only if one is available. However, there can be no guarantee that an identical model will be issued. For bespoke, prescriptive wheelchairs it is unlikely that we would have a similar one. 

It may be necessary for you to transfer out of the wheelchair to allow the engineer to repair it. It will be your responsibility to arrange for this, because for safety reasons, the engineer will not be able to transfer you. 

You must allow the Wheelchair Service staff to carry out periodic face to face inspections/reviews of your wheelchair.

Please Note: The repair service cannot replace your wheelchair or make any comments or recommendations regarding the suitability of your current equipment. If you feel that your wheelchair is unsuitable for your needs, or you have outgrown your wheelchair, you must seek advice from your Wheelchair Service.

Knowsley Wheelchair Service in house repairs contact details:

Wheelchair Service
Knowsley Centre for Independent Living
Unit 11, Brickfields
Huyton Business Park
Knowsley
L36 6HY

Tel: 0151 351 8700
Email: Knowsley.WheelchairService@merseycare.nhs.uk

• Read the user manual and supporting information thoroughly. If you have any queries about any of this information contact your Wheelchair Service.
  • You will risk tipping the wheelchair if:
  • You stand on the footplates
  • You try to descend forwards down a step or kerb onto the front castors
  • You travel at speeds in excess of a brisk walking pace, read about guidelines on Wheelchair Stability for further advice.
• When unfolding and folding your wheelchair take care to ensure that your hand or fingers are not positioned between moving parts and therefore likely to become trapped
• When straightening the wheelchair backrest make sure the levers are pushed down fully (where applicable)
• When replacing the armrests make sure that both ends are located in their sockets and the safety clips are secured (where applicable)
• Always apply your wheel locks before transferring to or from your wheelchair
• Do not try to slow down or stop your wheelchair by applying the wheel locks
• Never attempt to negotiate stairs unassisted
• Never use an escalator to move a wheelchair between floors
• Never attempt to lift a wheelchair by its armrests or footrests, or any other part that easily detached
• Never use your wheelchair under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Inform us if you have any adverse reactions to any equipment
• Take care when using your wheelchair in unfamiliar environments, and on rough ground. Avoid grids, potholes et
• Do not use in snow, ice or on the beach
• Take care when approaching automatic doors to avoid colliding with a partially open door
• The lap/posture belt fitted to the wheelchair is fitted for safety and positioning only, it must not be used for restraint. The belt must be used at all times of occupancy and in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. You must ensure that the belt is in a satisfactory condition and adjusted correctly. It should be firmly fastened across your hips but not too tight to cause you unnecessary distress. At the same time, the belt should not be too loose to allow you to slide down your wheelchair, which may cause you to end up with the belt around your neck resulting in strangulation, or cause you to fall from the wheelchair. There have been incidents of people slipping down their wheelchair when the belt is too loose.

Report any concerns, accidents or ‘near misses’ to the Wheelchair Service.

Charger Connecting the battery charger

• Switch off wheelchair                                                                                                            
• Plug battery charger into the socket on the wheelchair                                                              
• Plug the battery charger into the mains socket and switch on                                                   
• Leaving on charge overnight  -  it is always best practice to switch off electricity at the mains and remove the three pin plug before retiring for the night                                                                                             

Disconnecting the battery charger    

• Check that the fully charged indicator light is lit on the battery charger. If it is not, contact the repairers and report the fault                                                                              
• Switch the battery charger off at the mains                                                                                 
• Disconnect the battery charger from the wheelchair

Additional information

Connecting or disconnecting the battery charger from the wheelchair whilst the mains are still on will, over a period, result in damaged connections within the wheelchair battery charging socket. This will result in the wheelchair having a reduced range and reduced power.

The wheelchair and it's accessories belong to the Knowsley Wheelchair Service and are loaned to you on the conditions below:

• It must only be used for carrying yourself
• You must read and abide by the instructions in the manufacturer’s user manual given with the wheelchair
• It must be used for mobility purpose only and not in place of static seating
• It is important that you only use the footrests, armrests and accessories supplied by the wheelchair service for your chair. Using items from another wheelchair may result in an accident leading to injury.
• It must be given up for repair/inspection if we ask you to do so. If it necessary for us to take your chair into the workshop for repair you will be provided with a temporary loan indoor only powered chair.
• It must not be disposed of
• It must be kept clean and in good working order
• It must be protected from damage at all times
• It must not be altered nor have any attachments fitted without our agreement
• It must not be used for impact/contact sports/activities
• You must allow the wheelchair service staff to carry out periodic reviews of provision. If it is felt that it is unsafe to use equipment, then it will be withdrawn. If circumstances change and you no longer fit the criteria for supply the equipment will be withdrawn
• If the equipment is damaged by any means other than fair wear and tear you may be liable for the cost of repair
• If you lose your chair or any accessory/removable parts issued with the wheelchair you may be liable for the cost of the replacement
• It is your responsibility to ensure you have a power point available for charging the battery and you must pay any electricity costs for charging the chair
• You must look after the battery as shown in the instructions issued with the chair.
• The EPIOC supplied is a class 2 vehicle and must only be used indoors and on the pavement. The law applying to your chair is The Use of Invalid Carriages on Highways Regulations 1988. It must not be used on ramps with a slope of more than that recommended in the manufacturer’s manual.
• The EPIOC must not be stored outdoors
• It is strongly recommended that you take-out third-party insurance.

Taking the wheelchair abroad 

Permission must be given from the Wheelchair Service and appropriate insurance obtained to cover the cost of any damage, loss or repair during travel. The Wheelchair Service will not fund any adaptations necessary to use the equipment abroad.

Inform the team if...

• The equipment is lost or damaged or involved in an accident (including when a vehicle involved in a crash)
• You change your name, address or telephone number.
• You intend to emigrate.
• You no longer need the equipment.
• There is a change or deterioration in your medical condition, vision and/or memory or the wheelchair no longer meets your needs (i.e. too big or too small)
• If your wheelchair requires a repair, contact the authorised repairer immediately.
• We will pay repair costs except in cases of misuse, neglect or loss.

Failure to comply with these conditions may result in withdrawal of the equipment. If you cannot agree with any of these conditions, please let us know straight away.

Knowsley Centre for Independent Living - www.knowsleycil.org

Merseyside Fire Service    

offers a free home fire safety check, including the installation of smoke alarms where necessary – all free of charge. They can be contacted by telephone.

Telephone:  0800 731 5958

Knowsley Carers Centre

143 Bewley Drive, Kirkby, L32 9PE
Tel: 0151 549 1412
Email: enquiries@knowsleycarers.co.uk

Our Carer Support workers offer information, advice, advocacy and support. They are available at our Kirkby, Halewood and Huyton Offices (see opening times ). The carers support team will assist you with most matters that causes you concern in your caring role.

The support workers can assist with access to a range of services including:

• Carers Assessments
• Direct Payments Grants
• Home visits can also be arranged.

Knowsley Borough Council

Knowsley Council have trained staff who are happy to help you with any questions you may have. You can contact the team on 0151 489 6000 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm with the exception of Wednesday which open from 9am to 4pm).

You can chat to an online advisor during these hours, request a face-to-face appointment at Kirkby, Huyton, Halewood or Prescot Libraries by calling 0151 489 6000; contact the council online for many services, contact services directly or write to us. Find out more about the ways to contact them.

• Highway code for wheelchair users