SDEF - Research - Wheelchair Services in Scotland

NHS Wheelchair & Special Seating Services Modernisation

Background

SDEF’s involvement with the NHS Wheelchair & Special Seating Service arose out of the late Elma Mitchell’s membership of ReTSAG (NHS’s Rehabilitation

Technology Services Advisory Group). ReTSAG formed a sub-group the National Wheelchair Group whose remit was to suggest improvements to the Service.

A member of this group, the late Margaret Scott then carer for her teenage daughter, was frustrated at the lack of progress by the Service and initiated the

Petition to the Scottish Parliament in December 2004.

Ron Skinner MBE, also a former Convenor of SDEF, was a member of ReTSAG and its sub-group. He was nominated by ReTSAG to represent wheelchair

users on the Steering Group which was formed by the Scottish Government following their response to the Petition. Arising out his contribution to the Steering

Group he was invited in 2007 by the Scottish Government to serve of the NHS Wheelchair & Special Seating Service Project Board. Although Ron is no longer

a Director of SDEF he has been retained as an advisor to SDEF on wheelchair matters.

Also serving on the Project Board is SDEF’s Policy & Information Officer Liz Rowlett who in addition to her role with SDEF brings with her a wealth of experience as a carer for her partner who is a wheelchair user.

Time-line

07-12-2004 Petition PE798 by Margaret Scott re NHS Wheelchair & Special Seating Services

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/05/30113633/22

00-03-2005 Extract from Tender Specification for Review re NHS Wheelchair & Special Seating Services

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/05/30113633/23

12-09-2005 Programme from national conference held on 12 September 2005

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/05/30113633/24

12-09-2005 Messages presented to the Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care at the national conference.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/05/30113633/25

1983/2005 Reports and references specific to Scotland on NHS Wheelchair & Special Seating Services.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/05/30113633/26

00-06-2005 Independent review of NHS wheelchair and seating services in Scotland with recommendations for improvement to services.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/05/30113633/0

20-06-2007 Wheelchair and Seating Services Project Board

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/health/wheelchair

01-08-2008 NHS Wheelchair and Seating Services Modernisation: Consultation on Draft Action Plan

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/08/04102245/2

30-10-2008 NHS Wheelchair and Seating Services Modernisation: Published Responses to Consultation on Draft Action Plan

http://search1.scotland.gov.uk/Scotland/C=eJwdjTESwjAMBPUUCqgoIBkCcclLMsI!iAdHNlKAPB!H7m632BcprGQx2OY7AsmPHNUoEYSErilRGbNgjp6OlDBNTA1xKZqXCpT2TwPPUR679mjQT*Sw

OqccoBKtqiyHrm*cxfVN51znTue2b3oKfiLBB0rbpdiQWB62Rv8PwreEQLO!sZJBOcS31eJWPZbC

Eqq9czLQD1ljP18_?action=search&q=responses%20wheelchairs&b=0&$rcexpanded=false

SDEF is now working with Health Boards to establish wheelchair user groups. People and organisations wishing to have regular updates or who would like to become involved should contact SDEF.

Further information regarding the work of the Wheelchair and Special Seating Project Board can be found on the Scottish Government website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/health/wheelchair