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Fears over future of wheelchair provision
Scott Thurlby is concerned that NHS Peterborough's wheelchair service is being farmed out to Essex NHS and will cause waiting lists for repairs to chairs
FEARS have been raised that wheelchair users could be badly affected when the service to repair and supply the chairs moves out of Peterborough.
Wheelchairs are currently supplied to city residents by Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust but from April 1 this supply will be managed by Central Essex Community Services (CECS).
Cerebral palsy sufferer Scott Thurlby (28), of Regal Place, Fletton, fears the move out of the city could cause delays to repairs.
He said: “There are issues, whatever the NHS says about it, there are going to be problems if the service moves out of the city.
“At the moment if you have a problem with your chair they can be with you almost immediately. I’ve been told by someone who works for the service it could be weeks when it changes.
“If you use a wheelchair it becomes your body, it’s your life. You don’t want to be waiting weeks for a repair.
“I can understand why they are doing it but I think it could cause more problems in the long run.”
NHS Peterborough, which commissions the service, said the only part moving out of the city is the administration which will be based in Papworth Everard.
It said that wheelchair services across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough were provided by four different organisations on different contracts and that moving to a single supplier would ensure there is a fair and equal service for all.
However, the move will also see people with the most complex needs having to travel to CECS’ headquarters for appointments - although transport will be provided.
Chris Daff, senior commissioning manager, said: “CECS will be providing the same access to wheelchair and specialist seating services as currently available to service users, their carers and families.
“The services provided will be in and around Peterborough at key and appropriate community locations such as homes, and schools.
“For most people this should allow them to be provided with a wheelchair service closer to their home.”
Peterborough Disability Forum said it had been consulted on the change and was confident it will improve the system.
Bryan Tyler, manager of the forum, said: “NHS Peterborough has done its homework and we feel it should be get better but the proof is in the pudding. We did ask questions about the location but we’ve been assured someone in Dogsthorpe will get the same service as in Cambridge.”
Will this affect you or someone you know? What do you think?
Contact our news team by email eteditor@peterboroughtoday.co.uk, telephone 01733 588719, on Twitter - @peterboroughet or use our Have Your Say form
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 3 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Michelleking_
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 09:08 PMI find the whole situation terrifying. My sons chair breaks at least once eery two months often more currently we recieve repairs within 24 hours what will this mean to us? To have to be housebound whilst we wait and to have to travel because we are deemed as being very complex. My son cannot access hospital transport due to being on oxygen and they will not take my younger child which leaves us having to struggle with public transport the whole situation seems very complicated when the current system although not perfect at least works
Reader22
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 04:02 PMHaving sat through the disability forum meeting and heard the presentation you are right to be worried Mr Thurlby, impressive it certainly was'nt.
mp
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 04:57 AMIf this service is moving out of Peterborough, then someone better have a whole lot of loaners available,
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