Overview
Bromley Healthcare’s Wheelchair and Special Seating service is a specialist NHS clinic-based service. We provide wheelchairs and wheelchair seating for long-term physical mobility needs, including manual and powered wheelchairs; this includes assessment, provision of a wheelchair or cushion, and on-going equipment maintenance. Our expert knowledge will help you to ensure that you get the right kind of wheelchair for your needs, support you on an ongoing basis, and be there to help when you need advice or repairs.
To access the Bromley Wheelchair and Special Seating service you must:
• Be registered with a GP in the borough of Bromley
• Referred by a health care professional*
• Be of limited mobility, with a long term restriction of walking ability (over 6 months)
• Need regular wheelchair use
• Be able to self propel with no medical contra-indications to this activity, or, if unable to self-propel, have a regular carer who can push the wheelchair safely
*If you are an existing client with the wheelchair service, you may re-refer and contact the service directly.
Bromley Wheelchair and Special Seating service does not provide:
• Outdoor only powered wheelchairs or mobility scooters
• Armchairs or other static seating
• Shower or commode chairs
• Transit wheelchairs for nursing home use
• Attendant-operated power packs for manual wheelchairs
• Powered accessories including equipment to convert a manual wheelchair into a powered wheelchair
The Bromley Healthcare wheelchair service partakes in the Personal Wheelchair Budget scheme to allow choice over the wheelchair provided.
You can find more information on how the Personal Wheelchair Budget works in our leaflet Personal Wheelchair Options FAQ
For more information please see the Frequently Asked Questions section.
Our clinic is located at
Ruxley Clinic, 130-136 Maidstone Road
Foots Cray, Sidcup, DA14 5HS
The current average waiting time for the Wheelchair and Special Seating service is 19.1 weeks.
Using this service
To use this service for the first time you’ll need a referral from your doctor (GP) or another healthcare professional such as a doctor, physiotherapist, occupational therapist or specialist nurse. If you think you would benefit from this service, please speak to one of these people first. If you are already known to the service, it is fine to contact us directly, without the need for a new referral.
Who this service is for
The service supports adults and children (over 36 months) with a long-term physical mobility problem lasting more than six months, or the terminally ill. You must be registered with a Bromley GP.
Appointments
Your first appointment
Your first appointment will take place at Ruxley Clinic where a member of our specialist team will assess your needs. Once we have established what the best solution is we will discuss this with you and prescribe a wheelchair that will meet your clinical needs.
Changing or cancelling an appointment
Please contact us to confirm you will attend your appointment. If you are unable to attend your appointment please contact the wheelchair service giving as much notice as possible. If you are unwell on the day of your appointment please telephone to cancel. Your referral will be closed if you do not attend 3 appointments without prior notification.
Wheelchair maintenance service
Delivery, collection and repair service – Inspire Community Trust
The repair service is only available for wheelchairs provided by this service.
Phone: 01689 499 222 (select option 1)
Email: AR@inspiremedicare.org
Open Hours: 09:00–17:00 Mon/Fri
Emergency Out-of-Hours: 07.00–09.00 and 17.00–23.00 every day including weekends and bank holidays. The emergency out-of-hours service will only visit your home.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a wheelchair?
The time scale for the provision of a wheelchair is dependent on your clinical needs. Some stock equipment may be provided much more quickly and there is a longer wait on some specialist assessments and equipment. We will discuss this with you at your appointment. The wheelchair service is not set up as a rapid response or acute service.
Who can refer a client to the Wheelchair service?
• To use this service for the first time you’ll need a referral from your GP or another healthcare professional. Initial powered wheelchair referrals need to be sent by your GP.
• If you are already known to the service you can contact us directly, without the need for a new referral.
Who is eligible for a wheelchair and wheelchair seating from the Bromley Wheelchair service?
• You must have a physical mobility need, AND
• Long-term need for a wheelchair, i.e. 6 months or more, AND
• Anticipated regular wheelchair use, defined as at least 4 days a week.
Full criteria are available for further information.
Are electrically powered wheelchairs available?
Yes, under the criteria as below.
(Following a referral for a powered wheelchair we will send out a pack to the client which needs to be completed prior to the referral being progressed)
• Clients MUST still meet general wheelchair service criteria above for long-term need and regular use
• Are only provided for clients who are unable to mobilise or self-propel indoors
• Outdoor-only powered wheelchairs or mobility scooters are NOT provided
• Powered wheelchairs are available for indoor use at home. We do not provide for school or day-centre use only.
• The client’s environment must be suitable for powered wheelchair use before one can be provided
• Powered wheelchairs are generally not provided for hospital discharge
As a referrer, please establish anticipated powered mobility use clearly before making a referral. This prevents disappointment for clients who do not need an indoor powered wheelchair and keeps the overall waiting list down.
Please see the full criteria for further information.
What about the client’s environment?
Equipment is provided based on an individual’s needs. Referrers are encouraged to consider access needs in anticipation of wheelchair referral and are to liaise with the wheelchair service. Environmental needs are considered as far as possible but an entirely different wheelchair will not be provided for environmental needs alone.
Do you provide any additional equipment for private wheelchairs?
Seat cushions only are provided for private wheelchairs where there is no safety risk and client otherwise meets provision criteria. No other equipment is provided for private wheelchairs.
Do you provide headrests and trays?
These are provided only in specific circumstances. Trays are not designed to replace a suitable table in the environment and headrests cannot substitute for a suitable vehicle transport system. Please see the full service criteria for further information and guidance.
What is NOT provided by the Wheelchair service?
• Outdoor-only powered wheelchairs or mobility scooters
• Armchairs or other static seating (wheelchairs are provided for mobility purposes and not as a replacement for suitable static seating.)
• Attendant-operated power packs for manual wheelchairs
• Shower or commode chairs
• ‘E-fix’ or other systems to convert a manual wheelchair into a powered wheelchair
• Wheelchairs for nursing homes
Do you provide ‘lightweight’ wheelchairs?
We provide a range of equipment based on a client’s mobility needs. The equipment has to be durable and rated for the client’s weight. We are unable to provide lighter wheelchairs solely for carer needs.
The personal Wheelchair Budget scheme is available to offer additional client choice.
What is a Personal Wheelchair Budget?
A Personal Wheelchair Budget (PWB) is a scheme offered to provide a wider choice for wheelchair users. At your assessment you will work with a clinician to identify what you want to achieve with your wheelchair. If the clinician identifies that a new wheelchair is required you will be prescribed an NHS Wheelchair and will be told the cost of this provision, this is your Personal Wheelchair Budget.
Useful links
Motability
Information on wheelchair accessible vehicles and purchasing a car through the Motability scheme
Queen Elizabeth Foundation
Impartial advice on powered wheelchairs, wheelchair lifts, ‘top boxes’ for wheelchairs and wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
Carers Bromley
Local information for carers
VTB Mobility
A family run business which offers scooters on a daily basis free of charge to local members to explore the high street and maintain independence.
Kent Mobility Ltd
Kent Mobility has been supplying, servicing and repairing mobility aids, rehabilitation and lifting equipment for over 20 years and is an approved NHS wheelchair voucher scheme supplier
Shopmobility UK
Shopmobility is a scheme which lends manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs and powered scooters to members of the public with limited mobility to shop and to visit leisure and commercial facilities within the town, city or shopping centre.
Transport for London – information for disabled travellers
Information about getting around London if you have a disability, including accessible stations, buses and underground facilities.
Leaflets
You may find one of these leaflets helpful.
Your guide to the Motability car scheme
Information about getting an adapted car through the Motability scheme. This leaflet is provided by Motability.
Wheelchair and Special Seating assessment
Information on our service and how we can support you.
Personal Wheelchair Options
Frequently asked questions about Personal Wheelchair Budget options.
Reduce your risk of developing pressure ulcers
The causes, signs and symptoms and how to reduce your risk of developing pressure ulcers.
Information for carers about pressure ulcers
What is a pressure ulcer, what to look out for and where they may occur.
Could it be sepsis?
Information and advice for patients and carers on sepsis.
Your care, your feedback
How to give positive feedback or share your concerns or complaints.
Videos
How to measure for a wheelchair
Rea Azalea demonstration
Pressure ulcer prevention
For professionals
Clients can be referred using the Wheelchair Service referral form. Please email the Wheelchair Service if you require a copy.
Technical and service lead: Jok Morrice