Personal Wheelchair Budget

Who can apply?

Anyone who is registered with a Liverpool GP, and who has a mobility need requiring a wheelchair for more than six months. If you wish to discuss the criteria further, please contact the Liverpool Wheelchair Service.

During your NHS wheelchair service assessment, the wheelchair therapist will work with you to develop a support plan. This will help guide you in how best to use your Personal Wheelchair Budget (PWB).

How can I use my PWB?

There are three options for you to consider:

Notional Personal Wheelchair Budget

(NHS Provision – No cost to you)

The service will provide an NHS Wheelchair/ cushion/ accessories selected to suit your clinical needs. This will be discussed as part of your support plan.

This chair would be provided on long term loan and maintained free of charge. The wheelchair service will remain the owner of the wheelchair.

When the wheelchair is no longer required it must be returned to the wheelchair service.

Notional Plus Personal Wheelchair Budget – Top up/ Upgrade

(Cost difference between NHSprovision and model that you choose OR cost of additional features not covered by NHS funding)

This option allows you to either upgrade to another wheelchair within the NHS range OR choose accessories/ features that may help meet additional needs identified on your support plan such as a seat riser or Bluetooth connectivity. You may also choose this option to personalise your wheelchair eg colour options.

The value of the PWB is still the cost to the NHS to provide a wheelchair to meet your clinical needs.

The wheelchair you choose remains the property of Liverpool Wheelchair Service. We will provide a free repair service, this may not extend to all additional features chosen with the top up option. Your wheelchair therapist will discuss this further with you during your assessment.

In the instance of parts requiring immediate replacement for safety issues, Liverpool Wheelchair Service may not be able to repair/ replace personalised options. In this instance, standard parts will be fitted to ensure the wheelchair can be used safely.

Third Party

(Independent provider –Cost difference between PWB and the model you choose)

The Third party option allows you to use your PWB to contribute towards buying a wheelchair from an independent provider outside of the NHS. Your choice will need to be agreed as clinically appropriate by your NHS wheelchair therapist.

You can only use your PWB for the same category of wheelchair eg A PWB for a manual wheelchair can only be used to purchase a manual wheelchair.

The wheelchair therapist will be able to provide general advice if you choose this option and this will be detailed on your support plan. Your wheelchair therapist will discuss the application process with you during your assessment. Your third party PWB includes an allowance for repairs and maintenance. You will own the wheelchair and will be responsible for its' maintenance and repair.

Where can I go to choose a wheelchair with my third party PWB?

Following your assessment you will be provided with a list of local suppliers and dealerships to help with your choice of independent supplier.

How do I know which wheelchair will meet my needs?

The NHS wheelchair therapist will carry out an assessment help you to develop a support plan. The support plan will provide you with a prescription. It will also identify any additional or top up features that may enable you to meet more of your health and wellbeing outcomes.

If you choose to use the third party PWB, you will be asked to complete an agreement form detailing the chosen wheelchair. We also require the independent supplier to provide us with a written quote detailing the full specification of the chosen wheelchair. Upon return of the application form and quote, the NHS wheelchair therapist will check that the wheelchair you choose matches your clinical prescription.

How much will the PWB be worth?

Your PWB allowance will be provided on your support plan. The PWB will represent the cost to the service of the prescribed NHS wheelchair, plus any accessories required. The value of the PWB reflects the cost to the NHS and not the retail value.

You may wish to choose further specifications and accessories to meet your social needs and goals discussed in the assessment. You may need to consider assistance in purchasing these items from other agencies or charities. If you chose a third party PWB, an additional amount of money will be added for the average cost of repairs and maintenance. It will be your responsibility to arrange ongoing repairs.

How often will I be able to get a PWB?

With due care and attention a wheelchair should last approximately five years. You may be reassessed for another PWB after five years if your wheelchair needs to be replaced. However should your clinical need change unexpectedly during this time, you should contact Liverpool Wheelchair Service and request a reassessment.

We recognise that due to growth, children (19 years and under) may require a new wheelchair earlier than five years. The PWB for children is set at three years.

How do I receive the third party PWB?

Once your application has been approved, you will be sent the PWB slip in the post for you to take along to your chosen wheelchair supplier. You should not pay the supplier for your wheelchair until you receive this.

Can I purchase a less expensive wheelchair and receive a cash refund on the third party PWB?

No. If your chosen wheelchair is of a value less than the PWB price and this chair meets your clinical need, the PWB value will be reduced to reflect the cost of your chosen wheelchair.

Additional information

If you clinically require a pressure relieving cushion, special seating or postural support for your wheelchair, Liverpool Wheelchair Service will provide these items free of charge. You will not be issued with a PWB for these.

Further information

Liverpool Wheelchair Service Lifehouse,
Summers Road,
Brunswick Business Park,
Liverpool,
L3 4BL

Telephone: 0151 296 7770
Email: liverpoolwheelchairservice@merseycare.nhs.uk

Our patients matter

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust listens and responds to patients and their carers to help improve the services we deliver.

If you have any comments, compliments or concerns you can speak with a member of staff or contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and Complaints Team

Telephone: 01514712377 or 0800 328 2941
Email: palsandcomplaints@merseycare.nhs.uk

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