All wheelchair users who have long-term postural and mobility needs are eligible for an assessment for a personal wheelchair budget (PWB) by their wheelchair service.

This offer is for service users who are either:

  • Referred and meet the eligibility criteria of their local wheelchair service, or
  • Already registered with a local wheelchair service, and require a new wheelchair due to either a change in their clinical needs or in the condition of their current chair.

PWBs are not suitable for all service users and exclusions include rapidly deteriorating or changing need (however service users in this position will be considered on a case by case basis)

Wheelchair users will have three options for the provision of their chair through a personal wheelchair budget (PWB):

  • Notional PWB (standard NHS provision) This means the provision of the wheelchair that would have routinely been provided by the NHS to meet your identified needs.
  • Notional PWB with contribution for upgrade or accessories This option allows a person or another agency (for example social care, access to work or voluntary or charitable organisation) to contribute to your personal budget towards a higher specification NHS wheelchair that is offered within the catalogue of chairs provided, or add additional features in order to meet wider health and wellbeing needs.
  • Third party PWB This allows a person to use their personal budget as a contribution to buying a wheelchair from an independent retailer outside of the NHS. This is only available if the wheelchair is deemed clinically appropriate following a discussion with a wheelchair therapist.

Within the NHS in Birmingham, wheelchairs for long term usage are provided by:

These services are currently developing their services to offer personal wheelchair budgets (PWB). If you are not offered a PWB at your appointment, think that you are eligible, and wish to be considered for one, please ask your service provider or contact the Community Transformation Team via email: nhsbsolccg.communitytransformation@nhs.net