To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Romsey (Sandra Gidley) of 10 March 2009, Official Report, column 393W, on wheelchairs, when his Department first announced its intention to produce a new model for wheelchair services; when he expects to publish the new model; how much his Department has spent on the work to date; and if he will make a statement. (264358)

The Transforming Community Equipment and Wheelchair Services Programme (TCEWS) was launched in June 2006. The Care Services Efficiency Delivery Programme were commissioned to look at community equipment and wheelchair services in parallel but as the data were insufficient to develop an outline business case necessary to make robust recommendations for the way forward, a further in-depth data collection around wheelchairs services took place during 2007.

It is estimated that the Department has spent a total £323,000 on data collection and development of a new model of wheelchair services delivery. A more defined figure is not available as the earlier programme included community equipment and wheelchairs services.

Discussions are ongoing within the Department on the future model for wheelchair services so as to ensure that a model is developed which is suitable for the people using services and the national health service. A report and a proposal will be taken to the NHS Board later this spring.