Improving access to innovation in all its guises that will benefit wheelchair provision for wheelchair users across England is the aim of a Special Innovation Group which has been launched by the Wheelchair Alliance.
Westminster was the venue for the first meeting of the group which was hosted by the Alliance’s President, The Baroness Grey-Thompson, bringing together manufacturers, the NHS Supply Chain and representatives from other organisations to discuss what innovation means and how it can be achieved.
The discussion was far-reaching and considered education, accurate data, budgets, equipment, simplification and a host of other innovative thoughts. The next step will be to produce a workplan to deliver change.
The Wheelchair Alliance was launched in 2015 to champion the needs of wheelchair users. Recent research carried out by the Alliance shows that Government investment in wheelchair provision remains low, while access to the 118 regional wheelchair services has been described as a ‘postcode lottery’.
Nick Goldup, chief operating officer and chair of the Wheelchair Alliance said it was vital for all parties to work together to ensure anyone who needs access to a wheelchair can get one as quickly as possible.
He said: “There are major inequalities in the service at present and that has to change. It is essential that people are able to access the wheelchair they need when they need it.
“This meeting was the first step in bringing all the key parties together to discuss the way forward. It was a very positive meeting, which touched on speed of delivery and plans to ensure the highest possible training for professionals.
“The next step will be for us to create a strategy and roadmap which will guide our work in the future.”