Wheelchair Service

Our Wheelchair Service assists those who need a wheelchair to help them get around.

This includes:

individuals of all ages and disabilities
children and adults with a physical or sensory disability
older people
people with mental health conditions
people with learning disabilities.

We work together with the Regional Wheelchair Centre (based in Musgrave Park Hospital, Belfast) and private sector-based suppliers to offer a range of services, such as:

wheelchairs for those with basic mobility needs
active manual wheelchairs
pressure relief systems
indoor and outdoor-powered mobility and customised seating.

Getting a wheelchair

Referrals for wheelchairs must be made to the Community Occupational Therapy Service.

You can contact them via our Call Management Centre on 084 5606 6596.

You will then be assessed by your occupational therapist who will examine your posture, functional abilities and perceptual skills.

They will also check the surroundings the chair will be used in and your arrangements for work and leisure activities, if necessary.

If you meet our criteria for wheelchair provision, a prescription will be made, based on the type of wheelchair you need.

Setting up your wheelchair

Wheelchairs are usually provided on a loan basis, through the National Health Service, via the Regional Wheelchair Centre.

When your wheelchair is delivered, a technician will demonstrate the chair’s folding mechanism, adjust the footplates and give you a copy of your manual.

A member of our occupational therapy team can help you to make any other adjustments needed. They can also give you advice on how to use the wheelchair safely.

The Regional Wheelchair Centre provides a leaflet, entitled Conditions of Loan, which explains how to look after your chair.

It also explains your responsibility for the wheelchair and outlines guidelines for use.

Maintenance of wheelchairs

Details of an approved repairer are provided with every wheelchair we supply.

The servicing, repair and maintenance of all wheelchairs provided by the Regional Wheelchair Centre is handled by the approved repair contractor.

Training for wheelchair users

We can provide mobility skills training to wheelchair users and their carers.

This covers a range of areas including driving skills, propulsion techniques, transfers, safety awareness issues, transportation requirements and basic maintenance.

We also offer users the chance to practice their wheelchair skills with the support of our occupational therapy staff.