In March SDEF and Pamis organised a reception at the Scottish Parliament to raise awareness of the concerns of wheelchair users and highlight difficulties in equipment provision. The event was sponsored by Joe Fitzpatrick MSP and was widely attended, with a number of wheelchair users present to discuss their needs with parliamentarians.

The event was a great success and drew attention to the importance of wheelchairs to disabled people and carers. It highlighted the fact that the service is under-resourced and inadequate to meet needs.

Although the Scottish Government pledged �16m over the next three years, this is only half as much as was recommended by the Moving Forward report on the wheelchair service.

Wheelchair providers such as Sunrise Medical and Invacare demonstrated different types of equipment that could be provided, given better resourcing.� A video was shown featuring users talking about how the provision of a wheelchair that met their needs was crucial to their lives.

A number of MSPs have already tabled questions on wheelchair provision and it is hoped that we can gain enough support to secure better funding for this equipment.

Meanwhile, the Wheelchair and Seating Service Project Board is continuing to look at implementing the recommendations of the Moving Forward report to improve the service and is planning a consultation event in June. Information about the work of the Project Board, on which SDEF is represented, is available on the Scottish Government website at www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health

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�SDEF Patron Alex Fergusson talks to Karen Sutherland at the Holyrood Event