Personal wheelchair budgets

What is a Personal Wheelchair Budget?
The Personal Wheelchair Budget is a ‘virtual’ amount of money based on how much it would cost the NHS Wheelchair Service to provide you with a wheelchair that meets your assessed clinical needs. It is designed to give you more choice over your wheelchair.

 How does it work?
If you are eligible for a new or replacement NHS wheelchair you may be offered a Personal Wheelchair Budget. Following an assessment of your needs, we will develop a personal support plan with you and assist you in deciding how you want to use your Personal Wheelchair Budget.

The period of a personal wheelchair budget is usually either 5 years or 3 years except in exceptional circumstances. Once an assessment has been completed with your Wheelchair Service Therapist, you will be given the choice to use your Personal Wheelchair Budget in one of 3 ways.

NHS Provision (Notional budget)
Accept the NHS wheelchair prescribed for you - this is at no cost to you. The wheelchair will remain the property of the NHS Wheelchair Service and you will have access to repairs through the Approved Repair Service.

NHS Upgrade (Notional budget with top up)
Pay a ‘top up’ contribution to receive an upgrade to a higher specification NHS wheelchair or add extra features to the NHS wheelchair prescribed. The wheelchair will remain the property of the NHS Wheelchair Service and you will usually have access to repairs through the Approved Repair Service.

Third party
Access a wheelchair from an independent supplier outside of the NHS Wheelchair Service. The agreed Personal Wheelchair Budget is paid directly to the supplier and you pay any additional costs. In this option the wheelchair will belong to you, and you will be responsible for any ongoing repairs or maintenance costs.

 With all three Personal Wheelchair Budget Options, any wheelchair or extra feature ordered will need to meet your clinical needs as assessed by your Wheelchair Service Therapist.