Children Outgrow Wheelchairs Before Delivery

12.01.20pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 18th Jan 2007

Over 80% of families surveyed by 'Contact a Family' have waited longer than 6 weeks for an assessment for their child to have a wheelchair. 60% have to wait more than 8 weeks for delivery (The National Service Framework targets). Over 21% of families had to wait longer than 6 months for an assessment and over 44% had to wait over 3 months for delivery of the wheelchair.

Jenny Randerson, Assembly Member for Cardiff Central said "I have had several pieces of casework concerning this over the 8 years I have been an Assembly Member and the government doesn't seem to be any closer to solving this problem.

"The standards set in the National Service Framework of 6 weeks for an assessment and 8 weeks from then for delivery are not being met. By the time the children get their wheelchairs it's time to be reassessed. Children are in danger of outgrowing their wheelchairs before they get them.

"Wheelchairs are vital to many children living a normal life. I have written to Brian Gibbons to express how appalled I am at the situation many families find themselves in."

Notes:

'Contact a Family' is an organisation for families with disabled children incorporating the Lady Hoare Trust

Ends/diwedd

Contact/cyswllt: Andrew Sherwood - 029 2089 8324

Embargo: Immediate