Wheelchair support

Referral for wheelchair services

1. Wheelchair need identified by healthcare professional.
2. Criteria checked:
   • meets criteria, complete wheelchair referral form
   • does not meet criteria, service that the patient is under to discuss that referral criteria are not met and hand out advice on hire, self-purchase options and signpost for financial support

Wheelchair provision guide

NHS Doncaster wheelchair provision includes:

• wheelchairs to meet basic mobility need, with necessary postural and pressure care components
• manual (non-powered) wheelchairs
• indoor and indoor outdoor powered wheelchairs controlled by the occupant including special controls
• bespoke and custom-made special seating where required
• the option of a personal wheelchair budget for patients that meet the criteria

NHS wheelchairs are not provided for the following:

• school use only (the responsibility of education authority to fund equipment used exclusively at school)
• work use only (funding can be sourced from the Access to Work scheme)
• sporting activities only
• in place of suitable static seating
• transportation purposes only
• children who can be accommodated in a standard retail buggy
• to manage behaviour in an individual who can walk
• as a form of restraint
• electric powered wheelchairs required for outdoor use only
• manual wheelchairs required for outdoor only mobility for less than daily use
• dual control powered wheelchairs
• attendant controlled wheelchairs
• short term loan wheelchairs
• rehabilitation purposes only, on wards or in the community. Provision will be made once rehabilitation has been completed enabling long term (greater than 6 months) wheelchair needs to be identified
• nursing, residential home, prison unless this will facilitate independent mobility unless required specialist equipment, for example, moulded seat
• the service does not provide trays unless required to support posture
• prison unless the chair provides independent mobility
• where National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines have not been exhausted

Wheelchair hire and self-purchase

There are numerous places to hire or self-purchase a wheelchair and we have listed below several options.

Hire a wheelchair

Self-purchase a wheelchair

We would advise that you check the weight limit and if anything bespoke or any concerns use a recognised mobility shop or supplier and ask for two opinions.

Page last reviewed: February 25, 2025
Next review due: February 25, 2026