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Disabled people in England ‘have to wait up to two years for wheelchairs’
Disabled people in England can wait up to two years for wheelchairs, according to an investigation by the parliamentary and health service ombudsman. The delays, which involve NHS bodies and private suppliers, can cause pain and distress and restrict people’s independence, education and ability to take part in everyday life.
Complaints about NHS wheelchair provision rose from eight in 2020-21 to 110 in 2025-26, with four in five concerning a small number of private firms. Most relate to waits beyond the stated 18-week maximum for equipment or parts. The report describes a three-year-old who waited seven months to start nursery and a man whose replacement wheelchair took 26 months beyond the deadline to arrive in full working order; it also points to a regulatory gap in oversight of assessment, fitting and repair services.
In short
- Wheelchair waits in England can reach two years.
- Complaints rose from eight to 110 in five years.
- Delays can restrict independence, education and daily life.
Explained simply
NHS wheelchair services assess people’s needs and arrange suitable chairs, including specialist models and repairs. In England, local NHS bodies may provide this support themselves or use private suppliers, and the ombudsman investigates complaints about public services.
A delay can leave someone without equipment they need to move around, attend school or nursery, study or take part in daily life. The ombudsman’s investigation also raises questions about who oversees the assessment, fitting and repair of wheelchairs when these services involve different organisations.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by The Guardian as “Disabled people in England ‘have to wait up to two years for wheelchairs’”.