Website of the Department of Health

From the National Health Service

GP services

GP services

Your GP can prescribe items from an approved list.These include, for example, elastic stockings, appliances for colostomies and similar conditions, some types of trusses and wound dressings, urinary catheters and urinary collection devices.

For other equipment and adaptations, your GP can refer you to specialist services or you can also approach them yourself.

Wheelchairs

Wheelchairs

If you have a problem that prevents you moving around your home easily, even for a short time, a wheelchair may be the answer.An occupational therapist or physiotherapist will assess your needs at home, in hospital or at your local NHS wheelchair service.

In Wales, the Artificial Limb and Appliance Service (ALAS) is responsible for providing the wheelchair service and artificial limbs.These services are provided at three Artificial Limb and Appliance Centres (ALACs) at:

The wheelchair service is only provided at the ALACs in Cardiff and Wrexham.

How do you choose?
The NHS wheelchair service will help you choose a wheelchair that meets your needs, including extras like cushions, armrests or trays. If the therapist agrees that you could benefit from a more expensive chair than the local service can offer, you may be able to get a voucher that will allow you to pay the difference.However, the voucher scheme is only applicable in England. Not all services may be able to offer this option yet.

Who owns the chair?
NHS wheelchairs are provided on loan for as long as needed. If you only need one for a short time, the centre will tell you how to get one from an organisation such as the Red Cross.

Who maintains it?
The NHS will pay for any servicing or repairs so long as they are not caused by misuse or neglect.You will be given the number of the local approved repairer who will be responsible for repairs.

What about wheelchairs for outdoors?
If you are severely disabled and could benefit from a powered indoor/outdoor wheelchair, your wheelchair service may be able to provide one, subject to their professional assessment of your needs. Usually you have to buy outdoor electric wheelchairs, electric scooters or specialist sports wheelchairs for yourself.Your local service will be able to tell you about local distributors.

See also the section on Getting around.

Walking aids

Walking aids

If there is a medical requirement for walking sticks, frames and other walking aids, these can be provided on loan from the local hospital or community health service, usually on the recommendation of a physiotherapist.A deposit may be required.

Artificial limbs

Artificial limbs

If you need an artificial limb, they are provided, maintained and repaired at no charge.Your hospital consultant will refer you to your nearest Disablement Services Centre (DSC) or, in Scotland and Wales,Artificial Limb and Appliance Centre (ALAC), where specialist medical staff prescribe the limb best suited to your needs and where you will also receive walking or arm training.The DSCs/ALACs are usually attached to regional hospitals.

Surgical appliances

Surgical appliances

If you need a surgical appliance (or orthosis), your GP will be able to refer you to a healthcare professional who will be able to prescribe an appliance to suit your needs.Appliances include elastic hosiery, trusses, surgical footwear, leg appliances, abdominal and spinal supports, surgical brassières, artificial breasts, arm, neck and head appliances, and wigs.

You may be asked to pay a charge for wigs, fabric supports, surgical brassières and elastic hosiery. If you have a low income this may be waived, or you may be offered some financial assistance.

Environmental control systems

Environmental control systems

What are they?
Environmental control systems enable people with a severe physical disability to operate appliances and equipment in the home from a central control,worked if necessary by switches adapted to their individual requirements.They can be linked with a wide range of equipment such as alarms, door locks, intercoms, telephones, lights, heaters, beds, curtains, radios, televisions, communication aids and computers.

How do you get them?
Contact an occupational therapist in social services or the NHS who will be able to tell you about the systems available. Otherwise ask your GP or community nurse. You will then be referred to a medical consultant who acts as the environmental control assessor in your area. If the assessor decides equipment would help, an occupational therapist from social services may be asked to assist with any necessary arrangements for installation. Equipment is provided on loan and is maintained and serviced free of charge.

Help with your sight. See the section 'For people who are blind or partially sighted ' in 'Help with particular needs'.

Hearing aids. See the section 'For people who are deaf or hard of hearing' in 'Help with particular needs'.

Communication aids. See the section 'For people with communication difficulties ' in 'Help with particular needs'.

Action point: For information about how to get equipment, get in touch with an occupational therapist in social services or the NHS, your GP or community nurse, or your local Disabled Living Centre (see 'Where to look').

From Jobcentre Plus

See the section on 'Work' for details about the kind of help with equipment you may be able to obtain through the Access to Work programme. Your local Jobcentre or Jobcentre Plus will put you in touch with a Disability Employment Adviser who will help you to contact your local Access to Work Adviser.

From education and training services

See the section on 'Education and training'.

From voluntary organisations

Some of the groups named under 'Helpful organisations' will give you information about obtaining equipment, including what can be found in local shops and pharmacies. Some groups may also help with the supply of equipment.

The Red Cross Medical Loan Service through your local branch (see phone book) can lend equipment including commodes, wheelchairs and walking frames to meet urgent short-term needs. They may sometimes charge a handling fee. St John Ambulance Brigade may also be able to help in some areas.

REMAP may be able to help if you need a specially adapted item outside the range of standard aids and equipment on the market. Free leaflets are available.
Helpline: 0845 1300456 (Mon-Thurs 9.30-16.30);
Website:www.remap.org.uk.

Awear (formerly the National Association of Clothing Workshops) is a non-profit making organisation of disabled people and fashion professionals, established to ensure that all disabled people have access to fashionable clothes. Free leaflets are available.
Tel/fax: (0115) 953 0439;
Website:www.awear.org.uk.

• Remap: Equipment for disabled people (opens new window)
• Awear (opens new window)