NHS: Wheelchair Services

Lord Kamall Excerpts

Monday 24th November 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

My noble friend raises a point that applies not just to wheelchairs but to other aids and adaptations. There is indeed a very considerable issue. That is a matter for local services, but it is absolutely something that we will work with them on as part of how we improve services, because it also includes the safe and timely return.

[Lord Kamall (Con)]

My Lords, as well as the concerns raised by the noble Lord, Lord Hunt, about NHS wheelchair services, we know that, in addition, there are over 1 million wheelchair users of different types in the UK, and we know that people still face considerable difficulties in accessing health and social care buildings. Of course we understand that some buildings are old and will have to be retrofitted, but what specific conversations is the department having with charities, expert groups, owners of buildings and developers to raise awareness of the need and how to improve access, particularly for those older buildings?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

The noble Lord is right, and his comments about buildings apply not just to NHS buildings either but to the whole range. I can assure the noble Lord that across government we have continuing discussions about this, because it is not, as the noble Lord says, just a matter of getting the right wheelchair; it is also about them being accessible in terms of the buildings. It is also the reason that I mentioned to his noble friend about adaptations to people’s homes so that wheelchairs can be used there too.