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Wheelchairs

Volume 930: debated on Tuesday 19 April 1977

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asked the Secretary of State for Social Services for what reasons delays of up to eight weeks occur in supplying wheelchairs to the disabled, as admitted in his Department's survey "Wheelchairs and Their Users".

This report related to 1973, since when improvements in the service have been made. Now about 90 per cent. of first-issue wheelchairs are regularly supplied within four weeks. Many have to be designed and manufactured individually, however, in order to meet unique requirements. This is why some 3 per cent. still, regrettably, take eight weeks or more to supply.