'Disgust' over wheelchair delays

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Lewis Walker's parents have been told he might have to wait two years for a wheelchair

Long waits for specialist wheelchairs have been criticised as "disgusting" by patients and parents in north Wales.

A total of 53 adults and children have been waiting for an assessment which will allow them to receive wheelchairs.

One child has been waiting for 20 months and the North Wales NHS Trust says it has cut times and is aiming to ensure no child waits more than a year.

But Health Minister Edwina Hart said she was concerned about the length of time patients are waiting.

Claire Walker, whose three-year-old son Lewis has cerebral palsy and has been waiting since August, said he was in pain.

Mrs Walker, who lives near Pwllheli, Gwynedd, said: "It's pretty disgusting really that kids have to wait.

"It's not just kids, it's adults as well. It's just wrong really.

We can put a man on the moon but we can't even get a wheelchair for a child Councillor Peter Read, who is also waiting for a wheelchair

"These kids only get one chance in life and they're not getting it without a chair."

A local councillor, Peter Read, who is also waiting for a wheelchair said: "The only word that comes to mind is disgusting.

"It's the 21st century. We can put a man on the moon but we can't even get a wheelchair for a child.

"It's not the 18th century. It's not rocket science."

The North Wales NHS Trust said it was working to ensure that no child will waiting more than a year by the end of March.

The trust also argued that more funding has allowed it to significantly reduce waiting times.

When waiting time statistics were at their worst in November 2007, one patient had waited for 51 months for a wheelchair.

The trust pointed to the fact that it had to remain within the funding limits set by its commissioner, Health Commission Wales, and that until recently it did not receive enough money to meet demand.

'No recognised standards'

The Welsh Assembly Government said the health minister was "concerned about the length of time some patients are waiting for their assessments and receiving their wheelchairs".

"The provision of wheelchair services falls primarily to the Artificial Limb and Appliance Service (ALAS), which is not an all-Wales service but is based around three regional centres in Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham.

"There are no recognised standards for wheelchair services in Wales. However, a review into the provision of wheelchairs and specialist seating is currently under way in Wales, where a possible recommendation maybe the establishment of standards for the service across Wales.

"Senior Welsh Assembly Government officials are working with health professionals and other key stakeholders and service users to review the current provision, identify any gaps and consider how it can be improved.

"The first phase of this review is to assess the current pathway for provision of wheelchairs (complex and standard) through the ALAS service and advise on any efficiencies that can be generated to reduce the waiting times.

"Consideration is also being given to the short-term loan services provided to individuals both in the community and to support hospital discharge."

Dragon's Eye is on BBC One Wales on Thursday at 2235 GMT.