Wheelchairs and Mobility scooters

Wheelchairs

You can use a wheelchair if you struggle to walk or you're disabled. You can go into and around many shops and buildings in a wheelchair.

How to get a wheelchair

There are several ways you can get a wheelchair. Depending on your individual circumstances you may need to pay towards the costs.

Getting an NHS wheelchair

Ask a GP, physiotherapist or hospital staff to refer you to your local wheelchair service for an assessment. You'll need to do this before you can get an NHS wheelchair.

The local wheelchair service will decide if you need a wheelchair and, if so, what type.

You might be able to get a voucher. This allows you to pay towards the cost of a different type of wheelchair.

Self-refer for wheelchair help

You might be able to refer yourself directly to a wheelchair service without seeing a GP.

To find out if this is possible in your area:

• contact your local wheelchair service
• contact your integrated care board (ICB) – find your local ICB
• search online for NHS wheelchair services near you

Borrowing a wheelchair

You can sometimes borrow an NHS wheelchair for a short while (for example, after an operation).

Red Cross branches often hire wheelchairs on a weekly basis.

Read more about hiring a wheelchair from the Red Cross.

Some shopping centres have a Shopmobility scheme, where you can borrow a wheelchair while you're shopping. This is usually free.

Buying a wheelchair

Search online for local mobility shops. Wheelchairs range in price from £150 to more than £1,000.

Help with costs

The Motability Scheme can help if you want to hire or buy an electric wheelchair. It allows some people to use their benefits to pay for a wheelchair.

A personal wheelchair budget scheme has been introduced in England. Your local integrated care board (ICB) should be able to provide more information on provision in your area.

Find your local ICB

Choosing a wheelchair

You can get manual or electric wheelchairs.

When you're looking at wheelchairs, think about:

• whether you're going to be pushing yourself or pushed by someone else
• how often you need to use it
• whether you need to use it indoors or outdoors, or both
• whether it needs to go into a care home
• how comfortable it is
• how much it costs to maintain and repair

Ask to try different types of wheelchairs before you make your decision.

Which? has advice on choosing the right wheelchair

Mobility scooters

Mobility scooters can be useful if you struggle to walk or are disabled, need to travel long distances, and are able to get on and off a mobility scooter easily.

How to get a scooter

Mobility scooters are not generally available on the NHS.

Buying a mobility scooter

Search online for local mobility shops. Mobility scooters range in price from £500 to more than £5,000.

Get help with costs

You might be able to get a grant or help from a charity.

Better Mobility has a list of charities that can help pay towards a scooter

The Motability Scheme can help if you want to hire or buy a mobility scooter. It allows some people to use their benefits to pay for one.

Choosing a scooter

You should think about:

• how often you need to use a scooter
• what you need it for (roads or pavements)
• whether it needs to go in a car
• where you'll store your scooter
• how much it costs to maintain and repair
• whether you'll be able to steer it (some have special levers to steer them if you have arthritis in your hands)

Ask to try different types before you make your decision.