In November 2024, the Wheelchair Alliance released the third and final report into the provision of wheelchair services across the NHS following the two earlier publications released in 2022 and 2023.
The final report titled "Wheelchair provision: how to drive effective change”, builds on previous research and explores the persistent challenges faced by the service including “tackling the postcode lottery, long waiting times, issues in the supply chain and ensuring that the voices of wheelchair users are heard".
Addressing supply chain and procurement challenges
A key challenge reported stems from the need for better data. The report emphasises the importance of value-based procurement to ensure the long-term value and effectiveness of the wheelchairs, rather than just the initial purchase price. It also highlights the need for improved data submission and quality assurance processes to ensure that the National Wheelchair Dataset (NWD) is complete and accurate.
Driving Effective Change in Wheelchair Provision
Nick Goldup, chief operating officer and chair at Wheelchair Alliance, said: "At the moment, there is a ‘data desert’ in terms of demand for wheelchair services. Much of the data currently available is estimated, out of date and not comparable to form a local and national picture. We need a central, accountable body to ensure consistency, no matter the postcode"
Recommendations advise that "the Department of Health and Social Care take a more active role in ensuring the quality and efficiency of wheelchair services through better procurement and supply chain management"
There is currently no national standardised method of identifying, tracking and tracing the allocation and return of wheelchairs across the NHS. This can lead to wastage within the prescription and distribution process.
Supporting traceability and reducing waste using GS1 standards
The implementation of GS1 standards and adoption of barcode scanning can be used to mitigate this challenge. GS1 standards are frequently used in secondary care setting to effectively trace and trace equipment. Equipment is labelled with a Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI) or a returnable identifier (GRAI) so it can be uniquely identified. The GIAI or GRAI is encoded into a barcode, which when scanned at the point of use, captures the unique asset information.
In some instances there is a lack of assurance regarding which wheelchair has been prescribed and allocated to an individual. Where errors are made, an individual may accrue multiple, less than ideal wheelchairs, which can lead to a significant degree of waste due to accumulation of unused equipment. With better traceability processes in place, these items could be recouped and reallocated to the right patient.
Date: 3 March