News

Children and MPs urge wheelchair services reform

Government must urgently order a high-scale reform of paediatric wheelchair services to ensure children and young people have access to the right equipment when they need it, according to a cross-party group of MPs and peers.

A report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Paediatric Mobility Reform and mobility charity Whizz Kidz has recommended that national minimum standards need to be created, which prescribe the level of care provided to children in need of mobility aid as well as specifying the outcomes such services should achieve.

Currently, there are an estimated 70,000 children waiting to receive suitable mobility equipment. My Wheelchair is My Shoes said that without initial investment to radically improve the stock of paediatric wheelchair equipment to suit the needs of children, costs will escalate down the line.

In response to the report, a group of Paralympians led by six-time Paralympic medal winner Fran Williamson, wrote to Prime Minister David Cameron urging him to address the problem.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here


More like this