Personal Wheelchair Budgets

[wheelie junkie]

Bad news and good news.

The ebay seller that was supposed to deliver my chair has now said there was a fault in the chair and it got sent back.
I called BS on this as I know they come from Germany all boxed up.

So now I have to pay the full price

Got in touch with Horizon Mobility and they are going to get my chair for me.
The wheel chair service lady has been golden and is help to push through the voucher to the shop.

The problem now is that the local CCG has a person doing a voucher that has never done a voucher before
So that will take a week. Then another month for the chair to come...

But the other good news is that they will change the speed to 10 mph for me
I also found out that the 4 mph version of the Meyra optimus 2 can not be made to go faster...ever.

A great example of the postcode lottery that is the NHS. All it takes is one person with common sense willing to try and help. Glad that it has worked out for you eventually!

[terry2]

Bad news and good news.

The ebay seller that was supposed to deliver my chair has now said there was a fault in the chair and it got sent back.
I called BS on this as I know they come from Germany all boxed up.

So now I have to pay the full price

Got in touch with Horizon Mobility and they are going to get my chair for me.
The wheel chair service lady has been golden and is help to push through the voucher to the shop.

The problem now is that the local CCG has a person doing a voucher that has never done a voucher before
So that will take a week. Then another month for the chair to come...

But the other good news is that they will change the speed to 10 mph for me
I also found out that the 4 mph version of the Meyra optimus 2 can not be made to go faster...ever.

A great example of the postcode lottery that is the NHS. All it takes is one person with common sense willing to try and help. Glad that it has worked out for you eventually!

Thanks

[terry2]

Thats because...

To fit a faster motor, and then to program it slower is unbelievably stupid.

Because a 8mph motor, running at a programmed 4mph is HALF as efficient as just fitting a motor with 4mph gearing.
So it draws DOUBLE the amps, all of the time, at every turn, every speed. So you get half the potential range, and shortened battery life for no reason.

Its the equivelent to fitting a 4 litre engine to a car, instead of a a 2 litre one, and driving everywhere with the handbrake on.

What I found out is that the 4 mph Optimus 2 is because of the gear box.
If you buy a Optimus 2 that does 6 mph you can unlock it via the dongle.

honest dont ever buy a meyra chair they are a pile of crap and not even 4mph tinas piece of crap she bought in a moment of utter madness did only 3.25 kph flat out with the wind behind it,hence my thread polishing the turd trying to make it useable for her,good luck getting what you need from them,peace

Has she got the optimus 2?
I've heard\seen nothng but good things.

[Burgerman]

What I found out is that the 4 mph Optimus 2 is because of the gear box.
If you buy a Optimus 2 that does 6 mph you can unlock it via the dongle.

Yes, the 4mph one has greater torque, and less current drawn from the battery. Think about a bicycle in 1st gear.
The faster ones, that do 10? mph are MUCH harder to pedal... Think about setting off in top gear on a bicycle. That takes massive effort.

So reducing the speed of the 10mph one, down to 6mph IS STUPID!!! It should have been made with 6mph gearing. So it uses less battery power and has more torque than the fastest 10mph one. But they slow it in programming. So you get the reduced torque, heavy battery consumption, but only 6mph... So as you say at least take advantage of it by reprogramming back to max speed. Then you still have the downsides, but also the faster speed.

[terry2]

I have just been told my voucher should be good to go late next week.

It will take a further 4 weeks for my Meyra Optimus 2 to come.
So it has all worked out for me. Thank you to all here

[terry2]

Well the NHS legal dept have pass everything.
The WCS also has passed everything.

But solihull council Legal team want to look at it...so it's back up in the air

[wheelie junkie]

It has nothing to do with the council, funding is via CCG/NHS. How did the council get involved?

[terry2]

It has nothing to do with the council, funding is via CCG/NHS. How did the council get involved?

According to the email I got it says
"Because the service is managed by the council with their stamp on it, it has to go through their legal team"

I am hoping to hear back Monday.

[Burgerman]

Funding is via any source they arrange it with. Mine gets paid by the direct payments into the same account last time. This time from the CCG. 9 years ago a mix.

[wheelie junkie]

The LA should not be involved, it is an NHS responsibility, health budget has no link to LA budgets. Unless it went through something like adult social care, I recently had a Roho shower cushion from them and it came from LA funding.

Not much you can do at this point other than explain that you are committed to buying a chair based upon them advising it was going ahead.

[foghornleghorn]

I would be concerned. This sounds worryingly like the lad who had his personal care budget reduced combined with receiving a wheelchair budget.

[terry2]

Funding is via any source they arrange it with. Mine gets paid by the direct payments into the same account last time. This time from the CCG. 9 years ago a mix.

As said. Your lucky.

I met a solder who had his legs blown off and his chair will come to £19,000+
The Gov\WCS gave him £3,000 towards it. The British Legion put the rest.

All forms have been signed.
Just waiting for Horizon to get back to me so I can pay the rest of the cash and get my chair.

So it has all turned out great. Thanks to the lovely lady at the WCS

[Burgerman]

As said. Your lucky.

No not luck. It depends on how well you document and explain your needs and why. And how persuasive you are. And how much of the rubbish they will give you you listen to.

[terry2]

As said. Your lucky.

No not luck. It depends on how well you document and explain your needs and why. And how persuasive you are. And how much of the rubbish they will give you you listen to.

Since you are the only person on here to get it. And I go to a hospital in brum, that has a whole floor for the forces guys that can't get what you can.
Not one person in the Birmingham\Solihull area can get what you get.

Maybe you get it because you did your council a favour by doing the first Wheel Chair budget?

So my Meyra optimus chair has been paid for and will take 4 weeks to get here.
Really looking forward to not getting stuck in fields up by the NEC by me

[Burgerman]

Theres others on here. And all over the country.

[duke1]

Theres others on here. And all over the country.

not this bit there has been no pwb issued ever in sussex and the folk at wcs say its not been implemented in our area yet as if thats some kind of excuse! but wcs are coming to our home on the 12th someone called vlad apparently. i shall wait and see what the wcs offer first but i am well up for being first pwb in sussex even if it does mean a fight but only if tina will be better of that way,tbh i wish they would just pay for the damn batteries each year they can keep the rest! i shall post here how it goes on 12th,peace

[Burgerman]

not this bit there has been no pwb issued ever in sussex and the folk at wcs say its not been implemented in our area yet

Nor in mine yet. Thats what they tell everyone. The system is as flexible as they decide it is. It all depends how persuasive you are. That does not mean they are not still handing out cheques to people like me every 3 years regardless. It did not exist at all when I decided it should. Not even the idea. A decade plus ago, certainly it "wasnt implemented" here, but I have 3 cheques. looking for the 4th cheque next year, already sent them a reminder... Ignore all their excuses about whats "implemented" and make them do their job properly. Theres 101 ways they can fund it if they WANT to do so. As they already do to stubborn pople like me.

the folk at wcs say its not been implemented in our area yet

Or in my area. So what. Its their job to implement it though. Ask them why they have not done their job as instructed by head on NHS mr. stevens. And insist that they do so, some 3 years late. Its no use them giving you their excuses! Its not your problem, its theirs. Make sure they understand that.

[terry2]

I thought I would get my chair by the end of this week.
But no. It's a 4-5 week waiting period. Is it always that long!

[Burgerman]

Well all of mine were 3 to 4 weeks from ordering/paying to sat in it delivered. Only because special centre footplate, special paint etc.

[duke1]

well had a visit from vlad of wcs and he was quite helpful and forthcoming we have agreed tina will take an invacare xtr2 with tilt/rec seating pressure relief cushion and big front casters they apparently do not do a centre footplate option also he has taken my application and acompanying 3 page self assessment to present to the ccg and i was right no one has received pwb here yet though they are fully aware it is meant to be in place and offered by end of 2019 but typical just because very few are even aware pwb is an option so stands to reason no one has applied so far! so either she ends up with a suitable indoor chair or they grant pwb and i find her more suitable chair but tbh its rwd and she said the xtr he bought for her to try was easy enough to steer as is and comfortable so she be happy either way,me id rather have the money and build her something using all brand new parts rather than recycled 2nd hand bits but now she has the ex turd all sorted and working real well she doesnt feel trapped indoors now and seems happier,i shall inform how pwb goes,thanks for this thread bm,peace

[Burgerman]

they apparently do not do a centre footplate option

Then tell them its unsuitable indoors. Its already unsuiable outdoors.

Thats what they said about my salsa and the storm4 too. They were wrong.

[duke1]

they apparently do not do a centre footplate option

Then tell them its unsuitable indoors. Its already unsuiable outdoors.

Thats what they said about my salsa and the storm4 too. They were wrong.

i emailed them today asking if centre footplate was possible we shall see,btw it seems to have a control system i do not recognise bloody great big chunky thing it is idk if it is one we can reprogram?any idea?peace

[Burgerman]

Its available with many. They will tell you otherwise.

It will be 2 pole, slow, small battery, weedy controller, likely one we cannot access to program. And in spite of what your misses claims, it will steer like a drunk.
Its invacare, uses the same seating as most invacare chairs. Such as my xplore 4 so a centre footplate can be specified, but that wontbe on the easy to fill in cheapo prescription sheet. Wil reqire a little custom spec organizing. So they will say its not available as thats the easy answer.

If so tell them that it limits indoor manoeverability and fits every damned thing. It also ensures that your feet are ahead of the castor tyres. Meaning you sit on the casters! You will have a really nose heavy chair. Will drive like crap. You will see.

[duke1]

Its available with many. They will tell you otherwise.

It will be 2 pole, slow, small battery, weedy controller, likely one we cannot access to program. And in spite of what your misses claims, it will steer like a drunk.
Its invacare, uses the same seating as most invacare chairs. Such as my xplore 4 so a centre footplate can be specified, but that wontbe on the easy to fill in cheapo prescription sheet. Wil reqire a little custom spec organizing. So they will say its not available as thats the easy answer.

If so tell them that it limits indoor manoeverability and fits every damned thing. It also ensures that your feet are ahead of the castor tyres. Meaning you sit on the casters! You will have a really nose heavy chair. Will drive like crap. You will see.

its for indoors so speed etc not an issue as long as it has a comfy seat and moves from one room to another then its fine,if it comes to it i will fit our own centre footrest and just not tell them!i guess we shall see in time and if she hates it then i send it back and find a used one she wont hate,so glad she has a good outdoor chair now and she loves it so this nhs chair is a bonus if it works.

[Burgerman]

Unfortunately its got a small battery so not worth swapping...

But its charger will be OK. Ish.

[Lord Chatterley]

Personal Wheelchair Budgets nationwide UK as of 2 December 2019 thanks to Burgerman. I owe you a pint, mate.

https://www.england.nhs.uk/personal-health-budgets/personal-wheelchair-budgets/

LC

[Burgerman]

Slow to implement, slow to accept change, and hopelessely inefficient. Thats the NHS, socialism in action. They eeded a LAW to make their own departments across the country to finally do what stevens head of NHS told them to do years ago. In a private system they would have been fired for not doing what they were told by the boss, and we would have been able to choose a different company or service provider.

Anyway it shows that being stubborn, telling them and showing them that the wheelchair services were not fit for purpose a decade ago worked. Refual to accept the status quo. Twice I was told that "the NHS is an institution. you cant change it".

Once in the spinal injuries unit when I stopped newpapers being delivered to the whole geeral hospital, by the seller shouting loudly into each ward in turn startng at 5.30AM and waking all the recovering patients. I tried the polite discussion way with the newsagent, and the hospital administrator. And was told thats the way it was done, and it could not be changed. After a month I gave up as they wouldnt listen. And did it my way... You dont want to know. But needless to say the company delivering stopped. The delivery guy doing the early morning ignorant yelling, did not want one putting where I told him I would shove it, and refused to come back. Until they made a better arrangement. Wasnt hard, a simple list at the nurses station. Along with the money, the day before. Right across the northern general hospital. Silence! Aparrently that was not possible till it suddenly was. Yes it wasnt his fault, but he was the face of the problem, and had to go back and explain to the boss. To explain why he wasnt delivering papers that way any longer. Suddenly, a simple solution.

And the same with wheelchair services. In that later case I embarassed them in front of their bosses by SHOWING them the problems, and showing them I could do better, with less money MY WAY, the health department, and various high up meetings at the hospital and in my garden in the sun. In the end they saw the light. £££$$$ in place of incompetance, delays, restrictions and inability. So I could build my own/buy whatever I want. We agreed an amount based on my assessement and a 3 year time frame for $ replacement budget.

[greybeard]

Personal Wheelchair Budgets nationwide UK as of 2 December 2019 thanks to Burgerman. I owe you a pint, mate.

https://www.england.nhs.uk/personal-health-budgets/personal-wheelchair-budgets/

LC

Whoa!
Don't get too exited just yet. Yes, thanks are definitely due to BM - BUT ----- See this extract:

Direct payment:
This is where the budget holder holds the money in a bank account or an equivalent account, and takes responsibility for arranging the care and support, in line with the agreed personalised care and support plan.
Direct payments are currently not routinely available as an option for managing a standalone personal wheelchair budget. NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care are currently reviewing existing regulations to establish whether additional contributions are permissible under the Direct Payments in Healthcare Regulations.

Therefore where a direct payment is requested it would either need to meet the whole cost of the wheelchair (which may be appropriate as part of an NHS Continuing Healthcare package), or be part of an integrated package of care and clearly able to demonstrate the health and wellbeing outcome which required a contribution via a separately commissioned service.

[greybeard]

BM gets a mention on the site.

https://www.england.nhs.uk/personal-hea ... hns-story/

[Burgerman]

That reads all wrong! Much of it is fabricated or rewritten incorrectly, some is repeated, and some correct. But whatever, it was a decade back! It reads like it just happened. And that they offered me it! But whatever.

I am just about to apply and self assess for a 4th budget. The 3 years is up And no, the budget doesent wholly cover the price of "a" chair. It is to allow me to spend on my own chair(S) and dIY chairs, or my modified salsa, etc. The point being that I am the one that decides. The amount is simply based on my needs as assessed by them (actually me, bassed on my own in depth assessement about 8 pages long) and they turn up and tick the boxes). They pay based on what THEY would pay for a chair that suits my clinical, holistic, and lifestyle needs.

So it was assessed based on a 4 pole 4mph salsa with all the seating and a 120A module etc. Based on needs and their primarily indoor requirements. I pay the difference. While that may sound like they are not paying enough, I buy cheap, plenty discount, and top spec, higher speeds, etc. The acual price ends up quite close on my last Salsa chair. But I can equally build one, maintain 3 or 4, or save most so that I have enough for a really expensive chair in a further 3 years. Whatever I get to decide.