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	Wheelchair Voucher Scheme INTRODUCTION The wheelchair voucher scheme is designed to offer a greater choice of wheelchairs to people with mobility needs. While a free wheelchair will still be available, this scheme provides financial aid from the NHS to put towards the cost of a more expensive or privately bought wheelchair. The exact regulations and procedures may vary from one health authority to another. Existing users of the NHS Wheelchair Service should contact their local Wheelchair Assessment Centre and ask for an assessment under the Partnership or Independent Options. New applicants should contact their GP or therapist for a referral. After an assessment at the Wheelchair Service Centre the therapist and client complete a Wheelchair Prescription Form. You may then choose to accept a free wheelchair specified to meet your basic mobility needs, which will be maintained by the Wheelchair Service. Alternatively, you may choose to contribute some of your money to purchase a superior model, choosing to use the Voucher Scheme. Some areas will be offering either a Partnership Option or an Independent Option. Partnership Option The user may opt to pay the additional cost (above the value of the Voucher) to an agreed supplier, for a superior model. The wheelchair will be owned by the Wheelchair Service, who will be responsible for its maintenance and repair. Independent Option In this instance you may opt to pay the additional cost for a selected wheelchair, but you will then own the chair and be responsible for its maintenance and repair. An additional amount is included in the Voucher to take account of this additional expense. Any wheelchair selected must be judged to be appropriate for you mobility needs. The Voucher scheme may be limited to manual wheelchairs only in this area. The total amount of the voucher will depend upon the assessment the Wheelchair Service, which will allocate an appropriate "price band" which will reflect the cost of a prescribed NHS wheelchair. A wheelchair is expected to last for about 5 years. Under normal circumstances this would therefore be the length of time before you could reapply under the Voucher Scheme. VAT - A wheelchair provided under the Partnership Option remains the property of the NHS and is subject to VAT which will paid by the Trust. Wheelchairs provided under the Independent Option will be zero rated under item 2, schedule 8, VAT Act 1994.

Wheelchair Voucher Scheme

INTRODUCTION

The wheelchair voucher scheme is designed to offer a greater choice of wheelchairs to people with mobility needs. While a free wheelchair will still be available, this scheme provides financial aid from the NHS to put towards the cost of a more expensive or privately bought wheelchair.

The exact regulations and procedures may vary from one health authority to another.

Existing users of the NHS Wheelchair Service should contact their local Wheelchair Assessment Centre and ask for an assessment under the Partnership or Independent Options. New applicants should contact their GP or therapist for a referral.

After an assessment at the Wheelchair Service Centre the therapist and client complete a Wheelchair Prescription Form. You may then choose to accept a free wheelchair specified to meet your basic mobility needs, which will be maintained by the Wheelchair Service. Alternatively, you may choose to contribute some of your money to purchase a superior model, choosing to use the Voucher Scheme. Some areas will be offering either a Partnership Option or an Independent Option.

Partnership Option

The user may opt to pay the additional cost (above the value of the Voucher) to an agreed supplier, for a superior model. The wheelchair will be owned by the Wheelchair Service, who will be responsible for its maintenance and repair.

Independent Option

In this instance you may opt to pay the additional cost for a selected wheelchair, but you will then own the chair and be responsible for its maintenance and repair. An additional amount is included in the Voucher to take account of this additional expense.

Any wheelchair selected must be judged to be appropriate for you mobility needs. The Voucher scheme may be limited to manual wheelchairs only in this area.

The total amount of the voucher will depend upon the assessment the Wheelchair Service, which will allocate an appropriate "price band" which will reflect the cost of a prescribed NHS wheelchair.

A wheelchair is expected to last for about 5 years. Under normal circumstances this would therefore be the length of time before you could reapply under the Voucher Scheme.

VAT - A wheelchair provided under the Partnership Option remains the property of the NHS and is subject to VAT which will paid by the Trust. Wheelchairs provided under the Independent Option will be zero rated under item 2, schedule 8, VAT Act 1994.