Monitoring wheelchair and seating provision

Abstract

Following the establishment of the Disablement Services Authority in 1987, a survey was carried out to monitor local wheelchair requirements and their supply. The results show that the majority of requests are for standard models (80%) and that the delivery time for manual and electric wheelchairs is 27 days and 168 days respectively. When the results are compared to an earlier survey it can be seen that the number of chairs requested has increased by 15%, the number of accessories by 29% and that the delivery period has fallen by only four days. A pilot wheelchair seating clinic was also started in 1987 and the experience and results of this clinic are discussed.