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Eligibility criteria for wheelchair services

There has been an important change to the eligibility criteria for paediatric referrals to wheelchair services.

To ensure referrals can be appropriately triaged and assessed, please ensure that the following criteria are met:

Eligibility Criteria:

• Long-term wheelchair users.
• Complete referrals only.
• Referrals must be completed by a GP or other appropriate Health Care Professional.
• If the referral is for a powered wheelchair this should be for indoor and outdoor use (We do not provide powered wheelchairs for outdoor use only).
• Children over 5 years of age who have an impaired ability to walk. (Children under 5 years of age will be considered where they have very specific postural or medical support needs).

Paediatric referrals will also now be completed on a Paediatric specific referral form. This can be requested via our email wheelchairservices.NLD@northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk currently and will be uploaded on our website within a few weeks.

Additional information for children’s referrals:

For children without postural needs, further information will be required in the form of a risk assessment form (template provided by Northumbria Wheelchair service via e-mail and in a few weeks via our website).

Providing comprehensive and relevant information at the point of referral will help us to assess eligibility and progress referrals as efficiently as possible.
We would be grateful if you could ensure that all relevant colleagues are aware of these updated requirements.

Thank you for your continued support and collaboration.

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