NHS: Wheelchair Services

Lord Weir of Ballyholme Excerpts

Monday 24th November 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

The points that the noble Lord has raised are crucial—not least that, as I alluded to earlier, one type of wheelchair does not suit everybody. That is why I am keen to see the results of the Wheelchair Quality Framework, which, as I mentioned to my noble friend, was published in April. That sets out quality standards and statutory requirements, including offering personalised wheelchair budgets, which would assist in the circumstances that the noble Lord describes.

[Lord Weir of Ballyholme (DUP)]

My Lords, I declare an interest as a frequent wheelchair user and as a member of the all-party group. Some concerns have been expressed that the competition for contracts for wheelchairs is very limited and that a number of wheelchair providers are not even submitting their names to be considered for those contracts because they feel that it is not worth their while. What action are the Government taking to ensure that there is sufficient choice within the NHS and that the market is large enough to ensure that companies will actually bid for those contracts?