APPG welcomes Lord Hunt’s call for a national wheelchair and community equipment strategy
The APPG for Access to Disability Equipment has stated that it is grateful to Lord Philip Hunt for tabling a House of Lords debate on wheelchair services and community equipment last week. It was one of the first times community equipment had been raised to this extent in Parliament.
A spokesperson for APPG stated: “The APPG welcomes Lord Hunt’s call for stronger national direction and a national wheelchair and community equipment strategy, to bring consistency, accountability and timely access to essential equipment.”
In his contribution, Lord Hunt set out the scale of the challenges facing current provision, including significant regional variation and increasing pressure on already stretched services.
Referencing the APPG’s report, Barriers to Accessing Lifesaving Disability Equipment, he highlighted that 63 per cent of carers and 55 per cent of equipment users believe services are getting worse.
Responding on behalf of the government, Baroness Merron acknowledged the concerns raised across the debate. She confirmed, however, that the government has no plans to publish a national strategy for wheelchair provision, a point that drew disappointment from many peers.
The debate explored wide-ranging issues including service fragmentation, delays in assessments and repairs, unsuitable equipment, lack of national oversight, supply chain vulnerabilities, and the human impact on independence and dignity.
Peers highlighted significant inconsistencies in wheelchair and community equipment provision across England. Lord Hunt observed that services are “inconsistent and under-resourced,” noting that each local authority and integrated care board (ICB) operates differently, resulting in a postcode lottery.
Lord Kamall outlined stark disparities in eligibility criteria between regions. For example, North Bristol defines regular use as four times weekly while Oxford defines it as at least three days per week. West Suffolk requires a driving assessment, home accessibility checks, and GP clearance while North West London uses a tiered categorisation system.
Lord Kamall said: “A delay in receiving a wheelchair is not simply an inconvenience or statistic, it is a barrier to living a fuller life.” These differences, Lord Kamall argued, affect who qualifies for a wheelchair, the type of equipment provided, and the level of support available.
